Prevalence of specific IgA and IgM anti-HBc antibodies compared with HBV DNA in the sera of HBsAg chronic carriers.

Objective: We evaluated the significance of IgA antibodies directed against the hepatitis B virus core antigen (IgA anti-HBc) as a marker for viral replication.

Study Design/methods: Serum samples of 143 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and 189 HBsAg-negative subjects were studied. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction.

Hepatitis B and C markers among alcoholics in Israel: high incidence of HCV infection.

Patients with alcoholic liver disease have an increased prevalence of viral hepatitis. However, the role of demographic characteristics has not been adequately delineated. Therefore, we examined and compared the seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C in Israeli alcoholic patients to that of blood donors control group by their country of birth and origin.

HBsAg confirmation: an experimental test.

Background: The specificity of HBsAg testing is to be confirmed with antibody blocking to avoid false positive results.

Objective: To test the experimental HrAb HBsAg-blocking activity and to use this new antibody in the verification of repeatedly reactive HBsAg blood serum samples.

Study Design: HbsAg screening of three quality control panels was followed by a comparative confirmatory test with commercial HuAb and experimental HrAb.

False positive tests for anti-hepatitis C antibodies and the problem of notifying blood donors.

Background: All donated blood in Israel is tested for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and donors are notified of the result. There is evidence that at low antibody titres, the percentage of false positives may be high, with consequent labelling of healthy people as being infected with HCV.

Aim: In this study we examined the correlation between anti-HCV antibody titres determined by a second generation EIA test with supplemental EIA tests and evidence of abnormal liver function.

Helicobacter pylori infection and blood groups.

Objectives: Bacterial attachment is a prerequisite for colonization of the gastric epithelial surface. Recently, it was demonstrated that the receptor for Helicobacter pylori is the blood group antigen Lewis b, which is exposed only in blood group O. We prospectively examined the prevalence of blood groups in H.