Significance of persisting IgM anti-HBc antibodies in hepatitis B virus infection.

Igg and IgM antibodies to the core antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were measured in 136 patients who developed acute HBV hepatitis and who were followed prospectively. After acute hepatitis all the patients developed transiently IgM anti-HBc lasting for two to five months. In contrast, IgM anti-HBc persisted 8 and 9 months in two patients who developed persistent hepatitis and were continuously detected for two years in nine patients who developed aggressive hepatitis. The results suggest that the determination of IgM anti-HBc might be useful to predict the outcome of chronic hepatitis B infection.