Biomaterial Database

Electron microscopy of hepatitis B virus components in chronic active liver disease. 1979

R De Vos, and M B Ray, and V J Desmet

Eighteen liver biopsy specimens from patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive chronic aggressive hepatitis were studied by electron microscopy. All cases were selected on the basis of positive liver cell membrane fluorescence for HBsAg on immunohistochemical investigation. Striking changes in the morphology of the liver cell membrane were observed in nearly all cases. Furthermore, a dual aspect of hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) is described. HBcAg particles may occur as either 'naked' or 'cloudy' particles surrounded by semi electron dense material. The nature of the 'cloud' remains to be identified.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008099	Liver	A large lobed glandular organ in the abdomen of vertebrates that is responsible for detoxification, metabolism, synthesis and storage of various substances.	Livers
D008854	Microscopy, Electron	Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen.	Electron Microscopy
D002908	Chronic Disease	Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed). For epidemiological studies chronic disease often includes HEART DISEASES; STROKE; CANCER; and diabetes (DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2).	Chronic Condition,Chronic Illness,Chronically Ill,Chronic Conditions,Chronic Diseases,Chronic Illnesses,Condition, Chronic,Disease, Chronic,Illness, Chronic
D006509	Hepatitis B	INFLAMMATION of the LIVER in humans caused by a member of the ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS genus, HEPATITIS B VIRUS. It is primarily transmitted by parenteral exposure, such as transfusion of contaminated blood or blood products, but can also be transmitted via sexual or intimate personal contact.	Hepatitis B Virus Infection
D006512	Hepatitis B Core Antigens	The hepatitis B antigen within the core of the Dane particle, the infectious hepatitis virion.	HBcAg,Hepatitis B Core Antigen
D006514	Hepatitis B Surface Antigens	Those hepatitis B antigens found on the surface of the Dane particle and on the 20 nm spherical and tubular particles. Several subspecificities of the surface antigen are known. These were formerly called the Australia antigen.	Australia Antigen,HBsAg,Hepatitis B Surface Antigen,Antigen, Australia
D006515	Hepatitis B virus	The type species of the genus ORTHOHEPADNAVIRUS which causes human HEPATITIS B and is also apparently a causal agent in human HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA. The Dane particle is an intact hepatitis virion, named after its discoverer. Non-infectious spherical and tubular particles are also seen in the serum.	Dane Particle,Hepatitis Virus, Homologous Serum,B virus, Hepatitis,Hepatitis B viruses,Particle, Dane,viruses, Hepatitis B
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man