Induction of Antibody to the “y” Determinant of HBsAg in a Chimpanzee Carrier of HBsAg Subtype “adw”

Abstract

Antibody to the y determinant of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was induced in a chimpanzee chronically infected with hepatitis B virus and circulating HBsAg subtype adw. The chimpanzee was immunized with purified preparations of HBsAg subtypes adw and ayw. Six weeks after immunization, antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) specific for the y determinant, appeared. No change occurred in titers of HBsAg or antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and "e" antigen remained detectable. The circulating HBsAg subtype adw remained present despite the persistence of anti-y for greater than 8 months.