[Autoantibodies against the basement membrane layer of the skin epithelium as an indicator of the activity of the autoimmune process in children with chronic hepatitis B].

In different forms of chronic hepatitis B, autoantibodies reacting with the epithelium of the basal skin layer (EBSL) and with the epithelium of the cortical and medullary areas of the thymus can be detected by indirect immunofluorescence. The rate of demonstration and the level of these antibodies were established to depend directly on the activity of chronic hepatitis. The data obtained indicate that autoantibodies to EBSL are typical not only for the beginning of the autoimmune process but may also serve as an indicator of the activity of chronic autoimmune disease. The highest titers of the autoantibodies were demonstrated in aggressive hepatitis B associated with liver cirrhosis (in 100% of cases). The data obtained were compared to the liver biopsy findings. Therefore, demonstration of the high titers of autoantibodies can be used without liver biopsy for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis in hepatitis B.