A prospective clinical trial of D-penicillamine in the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis.

We conducted a prospective clinical trial to assess the relative efficacy and safety of high- vs. low-dose D-penicillamine in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Following clinical tests and liver biopsy diagnostic of primary biliary cirrhosis, 56 patients were randomized to receive either 250 or 750 mg D-penicillamine daily.

Detection of two forms of HBeAg (free-and IgG-bound HBeAg) in patients with HBe antigenemia using staphylococcus bearing protein A.

Protein A-bearing Staphylococcus aureus organisms (STA) were used to separate free HBeAg from IgG-bound HBeAg. Free HBeAg was detected in the supernate while IgG-bound HBeAg could be liberated from the pellets using MgCl2 or a glycine buffer. HBeAg was determined by radioimmunoassay and the results expressed as patient's cpm/normal control's cpm ratio (S/N ratio).

Randomized controlled trial of quinacrine for the treatment of HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis.

Several drugs which react with DNA decrease hepatitis B viral (HBV) DNA polymerase activity in vitro. Because such an alteration of viral replication, if produced in patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive chronic hepatitis, may lead to elimination of viral infection, we conducted a controlled trial of the use of the intercalating agent, quinacrine hydrochloride, in treatment of HBsAg-positive chronic hepatitis. No patient converted from HBsAg positive to negative during the trial and no consistent effect on HBV DNA polymerase activity was noted.

Circulating complement fixing immune complexes in chronic hepatitis. Use of anti-C3 enzyme immunoassay to define antibody class and nature of antigen.

An anti-C3 enzyme immunoassay (anti-C3 EIA) was used to identify the antigen and antibody of immune complexes (IC). HBsAg, liver cell membrane antigens (LSP and LP-2), IgA, IgG and IgM were determined in IC of 258 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and 31 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (CPH). IC that contained an antibody of either IgG, IgM or IgA class were detected in all types of CAH and CPH investigated.