Role of humoral and cellular immunity in the evolution of hepatitis B

An immunocellular and immunohumoral assay was made among a total of 75 individuals HBsAg positive, with different evolutive forms (acute hepatitis, active chronic hepatitis, persistent chronic hepatitis and asymptomatic carriers), comparing the results among the different groups and those obtained in 20 healthy persons used as control. First of all, the immunohumoral response was studied by determining the three main immunoglobulins in each group. Afterwards, the quantitative immunocellular response was analyzed by the porcentual recount of spontaneous E-rosettes with mutton's red cells. The qualitative immunocellular response against the proper HBsAg was determined by previous concentration and purification of HBsAg and by the test of inhibition factor of migration of periferic human leukocytes. Finally, results are statistically related in both immune activities in each group, as well as other non immunologic factors, trying to classify the pathogenetic mechanisms responsible of different evolutive forms in hepatitis B.