[Delta-antigen in hepatitis B].

Among 571 liver biopsies delta-Ag was found in 10 of 365 HBsAg positive patients (9 with CAH, 1 with CPH). Delta-Ag was demonstrated in nuclei and cytoplasm of liver cells in both cryostat and paraffin sections. Follow-up studies revealed persistence of delta-Ag for as long as 6 years and temporary appearance or loss of Dane particle-associated parameters without a change in the concomitant inflammation. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that delta-Ag represents a defective viral agent which modulates, by superinfection, the typical viral expression patterns of HBV infection.