The 19S and 7-8S forms of
IgM antibody to
hepatitis B core antigen (
IgM anti-HBc) were separated by rate-
zonal centrifugation from the serum of 20 Greek
hepatitis B surface antigen (
HBsAg) carriers with a superimposed acute icteric
hepatitis positive for
IgM anti-HBc by a radioimmunoassay. Serological markers of hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV)
infections were detected with radioimmunoassays and serum HBV
DNA was detected with molecular hybridization techniques. Eighteen of the 20 carriers showed a predominance of one or the other form of
IgM anti-HBc. Low molecular weight (7-8S)
IgM anti-HBc was observed more frequently in HDV
superinfection (5/9) and was related to a low mortality (1/9). In contrast, 19S
IgM anti-HBc was observed more frequently in reactivation of
chronic hepatitis B (6/9) and was related to a high mortality (5/9). These preliminary data show that in
HBsAg carriers with a superimposed acute icteric
hepatitis, predominance of 19S
IgM anti-HBc is frequently associated with a severe
clinical course; the opposite is true for predominance of 7-8S
IgM anti-HBc.