Serological markers of autoimmunity in chronic infections with hepatitis B virus in children

摘要

Chronic infections with hepatitis viruses are frequently associated with autoimmune diseases or serological markers of autoimmunity.We are interested in the exact determination of the relationship between chronic viral hepatitis and immune system modifications that lead to viral-induced autoimmunity.The serological immune manifestations were studied by analysing the serum levels of immunoglobulins, C3 component of complement, and prevalence of antinuclear antibodies, anti-DNA autoantibodies and rheumatoid factor.In this study, we investigated 21 children with chronic hepatitis B. Their ages were between 3 and 16 years.