Detection of interspecies idiotypic cross-reactions associated with antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen.

A common idiotype was defined by a rabbit anti-idiotypic antiserum generated against human antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs). This idiotype was detected in anti-HBs from eight different individuals who had been previously infected with hepatitis B virus and is referred to as the CHBs idiotype. The CHBs idiotype was also identified in sera from rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, swine, goats and chimpanzees that had been immunized with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Expression of the CHBs idiotype in sera from other species was associated with anti-HBs molecules. These results suggested that variable-region genes responsible for the CHBs idiotype have been conserved through long periods of evolution. It was noteworthy that the CHBs idiotype was not detected in the sera of a nonmammalian species, chickens, that had been successfully immunized with HBsAg.