Hepatitis and hepatitis B-antigen in Greenland. II: Occurrence and interrelation of hepatitis B associated surface, core, and "e" antigen-antibody systems in a highly endemic area.
The distribution of hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody (HBsAg and anti HBs), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and the heaptitis B associated "e" antigen-antibody system (HBeAg and anti-HBe) were studied in three areas in Greenland previously shown to be endemic for hepatitis B. Overall prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs ranged from 47 - 81%, thus confirming the existence of a hyperendemicity of the hepatitis B agent in some polar areas. Anti-HBc occurred closely correlated to HBsAg and anti-HBs but appeared to be a less sensitive indicator of previous infection. HBeAg and anti-HBe were found in HBsAg-positive sera only. The presence of HBeAg correlated to a high titer of HBsAg and to young age and it occurred more frequently in east coast than in northwest coast Greenlanders. The "e"-antibody in contrast prevailed in old age groups and in sera with a low titer of HBsAg.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006116:Greenland; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens