title: Hepatitis B antigen--a survey in a major metropolitan hospital.
abstract: The prevalence of hepatitis B antigen in blood donors in the Wellington Hospital region is 0-27%. A retrospective survey of 66 persons found by the Wellington Hospital Laboratory to be hepatitis B antigen positive between September, 1971 and August, 1975, showed that over this period there has been a consistent decline in the number of new antigen positive cases found per year. This appears to be due to a decline in the numbers originating in the renal unit. A liver biopsy was taken in only one case and this showed chronic persisting hepatitis. Apart from the renal unit, high risk patients and staff are not tested regularly for hepatitis B antigen. Regular testing of laboratory staff and patients and staff of the cardiothoracic and haematology departments is recommended.
mesh_terms: D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006757:Hospital Units; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens