Long-term follow-up of chronic hepatitis patients with HBsAg, HBeAg and Dane particles associated DNA polymerase in serum.

Nine patients with chronic HBsAg-positive hepatitis and persistence of HBeAg and/or core-associated DNA polymerase activity in serum for at least 1 year were followed up regularly with liver function tests for 2--7 years after onset of illness. HBsAg was present in all patients during an average follow-up period of 5 years. Seven of the 9 patients had persistently abnormal liver function tests. Persistence of HBeAg and/or Dane particle associated DNA polymerase in serum for more than 1 year after onset of illness thus seems to indicate a further long period of HBsAg present in serum and impaired liver function.