[Nature, character, occurrence, and demonstration of hepatitis B antigens (author's transl)].

The morphological, chemical and physical properties of HBAg suggest that the 42 nm component of the antigen, the Dane particle, represents the agent of viral hepatitis B. Its core contains a circular, double stranded DNA, a DNA polymerase and carried HBc-Ag. HBc-Ag is localized on the 21 nm particle, the tubular structures and the surface of the Dane particles. At least 8 different subdeterminants of HBs-Ag could be distinguished by means of specific animal anti-sera. HBs-Ag activity was demonstrated in almost all body fluids and excreta. The results of combined histologic, fluorescent and electronmicroscopic studies suggest ath HBc-Ag is localized in the liver cell nucleus and that HBs-Ag is found in the cysterna of the smooth endoplasmatic reticulum of the hepatocytes. The demonstration of HBs-Ag and the specific DNA polymerase in the serum indicate a hepatitis b virus infection with persistent reproduction of the agent, while demonstration of anti-HBs indicates that the infection has been overcome. The clinical importance importance of anti-HBc is controversial.