Faecal shedding of hepatitis-A antigen.

Serial stool specimens from two individuals with experimental hepatitis-A infection were examined and the shedding pattern of hepatitis-A antigen (HAAg) was determined by immune electron microscopy. HAAg particles were detected at least 5 days before the development of abnormal transaminase levels and jaundice, but not later than the day of peak transaminase levels. The pattern of early faecal shedding of HAAg particles correlated well with the early infectivity of faeces and accorded with the suggestion that HAAg is involved in the aetiology of hepatitis-A infection.