Cell-mediated immunity in response to HBs antigen.

The response of peripheral blood leukocytes to purified HBsAg was studied in vitro by means of the leukocyte migration test in patients with acute viral hepatitis B, patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis carrying GBsAg, and in asymptomatic carriers of HBs antigen. In the acute period of the disease no leukocyte migration inhibition could be observed. Patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis also frequently failed to develop cell-mediated immunity to HBsAg. Results obtained for HBs antigen carriers did not differ from those of normal blood donors. The observations may indicate participation of cell-mediated immunity in the development of liver damage.