title: wVariants of the hepatitis B surface antigen in Israeli populations.
abstract: A survey of w variants of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) among native and immigrant Israelis revealed that the subtype ayw2 predominated among asymtpomatic HBsAg carriers (69%), and patients with acute (83%) and chronic active hepatitis B (81%). The subtypes ayw3, ayw4 and adw2, uncommon in native populations, were detected in carriage by immigrants and transients. Nevertheless, the high prevalence of ayw2 among native Israeli carriers (87%), and in particular natives with acute 93%) and chronic active hepatitis B (86%), indicates that the introduction of nonindigenous viral strains has not overtly altered the anticipated geographic distribution of hepatitis B viruses.
mesh_terms: D001782:Blood Donors; D002353:Carrier State; D000939:Epitopes; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens