Hepatitis A and B: serologic survey of various population groups.
Seven population groups were tested by radioimmunoassay for the presence of hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs). Detection of anti-HAV was indicative of past hepatitis A infection and presence of HBsAg or anti-HBs indicated past hepatitis B infection. The results of tests of 680 serum specimens from the seven groups were as follows: (1) of 100 newly admitted children to Willowbrook where hepatitis A and B were hyperendemic, 32% had anti-HAV and 4% had anti-HAV and 4% had HBsAg (1%) plus anti-HBs (3%); (2) of 100 Willowbrook residents who lived in the institution about three or more years, 97% had anti-HAV and 90% had HBsAg (32%) plus anti-HBs (58%); (3) of 100 new Willowbrook employees, 50% had anti-HAV and 13% had anti-HBs; (4) of 100 Willowbrook employees who worked in the institution more than three years, 75% had anti-HAV and 30% had HBsAg (3%) plus anti-HBs (27%); (5) of 80 house staff physicians, 27.5% had anti-HAV and 10% had anti-HBs; (6) of 100 student 34% had anti-HAV and 6% had anti-HBs; and (7) of 100 suburban teenagers 4% had anti-HAV and 5% had anti-HBs. This study confirmed the variability of the prevalence of hepatitis A and B markers among different population groups and the effect of socioeconomic status and environmental factors on the incidence of past infection caused by hepatitis A and B viruses.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D009518:New York; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens