Predominance of immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis B core antigen in chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen.

IgM predominance of antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) was determined by a modification of a commercial competitive binding radioimmunoassay in 190 chronic carriers of the hepatitis B surface antigen; 16.8% of the chronic carriers had IgM predominance. The carriers with IgM predominance of anti-HBc were more likely to have elevated aminotransferase levels (25% vs. 11%) and chronic active hepatitis by liver biopsy (4 of 7 vs. 2 of 20) than carriers with IgG predominance. IgM predominance of anti-HBc may be an indication of more severe liver involvement in chronic hepatitis B infection.