Abstract
We investigated the cellular immune response to the HBsAg by the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) in 40 cases inoculated with HB vaccine and in 46 cases with various liver disease. Vaccinated group had significantly higher stimulation index in LTT with HBsAg than control. In non responders who didn't have anti-HBs in their serum after vaccination of HB vaccine three times, some (5 in 16 cases 31.3%) were positive for LTT with HBsAg. In patients with acute viral hepatitis (type B) 5 in 7 cases (71.4%) became positive in convalescent phase before the elevation of the titer of anti-HBs. Asymptomatic HBsAg carrier didn't respond to the HBsAg at all, although 9 in 20 patients (45%) responded to it in HBsAg positive chronic liver disease.
In HBsAg carriers, patients with chronic liver disease had low mitogen response, but asymptomatic carriers responded to them equally with normal control. Non responders had no abnormality in mitogen response and lymphocyte subpopulation, so they were supposed to have HBsAg specific defect in antibody formation.
