Microsomal autoantibodies in chronic infection with the HBsAg associated delta (delta) agent.

A cytoplasmic autoantibody is described which gives a distinct immunofluorescence pattern in tissues of man and of varied animal species. Fluorescence is maximal in human substrates; it is strong in human hepatocytes and nephron cells and weak in thyroid adrenal and pancreatic cells. Complement fixation and fluorescence absorption studies have shown that the homologous antigen is localized in the microsomal membranes of human liver. The autoantibody was found in 13% of 81 carriers of HBsAg with chronic delta infection. It was not detected in patients with acute delta infection or in HBsAg positive and HBsAg negative patients without delta infection. The apparently exclusive occurrence of this antibody in chronic delta infection suggests that its expression is induced by persistence of the viral event.