Detection and characterization of circulating immune complexes during acute exacerbation of chronic viral hepatitis.

For the detection and characterization of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in various liver diseases, a Clq binding test was used. Though the CIC level was almost normal in HB surface antigen (HBsAg) positive asymptomatic carriers, the level increased in patients with liver diseases. During acute exacerbation of chronic viral hepatitis, the CIC level reached peaks 1 to 3 weeks before and after the hepatic cell necrosis. Study of the sedimentation rates of CIC in various liver diseases showed CIC in the 19s-22s region and in the 7s-19s region. In acid buffer, CIC was dissociated into 5 to 6 components by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). In one case of HBsAg positive severe chronic aggressive hepatitis, CIC was composed of HBsAg, IgG and another three or four undetermined components. During acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis, minor changes of these dissociation patterns of CIC were observed.