[HB antigen e in acute hepatitis B].

The presence of HBe-antigen and antibody to it was determined in 233 subjects, including patients with acute hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis, and asymptomatic carriers of HBs-antigen. Preliminary concentration of blood sera was shown to increase the frequency of the e antigen detection in patients with acute hepatitis B to 33.3%, and in carriers to 1.7%. In parallel studies, no antibody to the e antigen was found in the acute period of hepatitis B. A direct correlation was found to exist between e-antigenemia and the severity of hepatitis B, with the exception of fatal outcomes. No significant differences in the frequency of the e antigen detection by sex, age of the patients, and titers of HBs-antigen in acute hepatitis B were established.