Abstract
Antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen and against anti-hepatitis B surface antigen idiotype were assayed after immunization with hepatitis B vaccine both in sera, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay. After vaccination of 19 subjects, antibody to the idiotype of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen was detected in none of the sera tested with ELISA, but anti-idiotypic antibody-secreting cells were detected by ELISPOT assay in 4 (36.4%) of the 11 vaccine recipients who were positive for anti-hepatitis B surface antigen with ELISPOT assay. On the other hand, these cells were detected in none of those who remained seronegative for anti-hepatitis B surface antigen, or in the 7 normal subjects or the 2 chronic hepatitis type C patients. These results suggest that anti-idiotypic antibody production is more sensitively detected by ELISPOT assay than by ELISA, and anti-idiotypic antibodies to anti-hepatitis B surface antigen may be present in those with anti-hepatitis B surface antigen.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
