Abstract
Etiological speculation regarding BA and NH has implicated perinatal virus infection, however no consistent agent has been found. We sought serologic evidence of HAV or HBV infection in BA and NH by screening, at 2-6 months, 18 infant-mother pairs and 6 unpaired pts. Specific, sensitive radioimmunoassays (RIA) were used to test for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs); complement fixation for antibody to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc). Antibody to HAV (anti-HAV) was assayed by RIA, as well as the less sensitive immune adherence assay (IAHA). There was no evidence of active or past HBV infection. Both BA infants with detectable anti-HAV were born to anti-HAV(+) mothers; serial testing in one revealed declining titers, suggesting transplacental transfer. Of 3 anti-HAV(+) NH infants, maternal antibody was present in one; serial titers showed disappearance by 7 mos. Maternal serum was not available in the remaining two. Thus,it is unlikely that either HAV or HBV had an etiologic role in BA or NH. A non-viral etiology or other non-A, non-B hepatitis viruses must be considered when assays become available.
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