Abstract
A solid-phase radioimmunoassay for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is described. Polystyrene beads coated with anti-HBc, hepatitis B core antigen prepared from pooled sera of humans infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 125I-labelled anti-HBc were used for the test.
Distinct patterns of development and changes of anti-HBc and their immunologic properties are all related to variations of other markers specific for HBV infections. Knowledge concerning the detailed features of the immune response to hepatitis B core antigen may provide deeper insight into the pathogenesis of HBV infections.