Hepatitis b antigens and antibodies in serum from 41 cases of primary carcinoma of the liver

Abstract

Thirty-seven patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one with cho-langiocellular carcinoma (CCC), two with mixed HCC and CCC, and one with an anaplastic primary carcinoma of the liver, all from Bangkok, Thailand, were examined for the presence of hepatitis B virus infection markers in their blood. Of the patients with HCC, 70.6% had macronodular cirrhosis. Their serum was positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 64.9% for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in 97.3% and for hepatitis B e antibody (anti-HBe) in 56.8% of the cases. The serum was positive for hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) in 53.9% of the HBsAg-negative and positive for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in 16.7% of the HBsAg-positive patients. The results of the study support the hypothesis of an etiological association between hepatitis B virus infection and HCC in Thailand. © 1986 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.