Localisation of e-antigen in nuclei of hepatocytes in HBsAg-positive liver diseases.

By the direct immunofluorescence technique 19 liver biopsies were examined for the presence of the e-antigen associated with the hepatitis B virus infection. With the use of double incubation and blocking experiments with FITC and Rhodamine labelled antisera against hepatitis B core antigen and e-antigen, evidence is presented that the e-antigen is localised in the nuclei of the hepatocytes. We conclude that the e-antigen and the core antigen are not identical, although they are often present simultaneously in the nucleus of the hepatocyte.