Abstract
The behavior of the hepatitis B virus was investigated in mononuclear cell cultures in nine patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus. Although only one of them was a carrier of HBsAg and four had anti-HBs in their sera, HBsAg was detected in the supernatant of the cultures from all patients. These results suggest that mononuclear cells might act as a reservoir for hepatitis B virus, and that the concomitant infection by this virus and human immunodeficiency virus may alter the natural evolution of any of both conditions.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Carrier State / diagnosis
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Cells, Cultured
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Culture Media / analysis
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False Negative Reactions
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Female
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HIV Infections / complications*
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Hepatitis B / complications
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Hepatitis B / diagnosis*
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / analysis*
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Hepatitis B virus / immunology
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Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification*
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Humans
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology*
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Leukocytes, Mononuclear / microbiology
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Male
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Nucleic Acid Hybridization
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Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications
Substances
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Culture Media
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Hepatitis B Surface Antigens