title: Detection of hepatitis B surface antigen in the saliva of patients with acute hepatitis B, and of chronic carriers.
abstract: Hepatitis B surface antigen was detected by radioimmunoassay in the saliva of 11 of 25 patients with hepatitis B, for periods of up to 23 days after the onset of illness. It was also detected in the saliva of three of five chronic carriers. The presence of this antigen in the saliva may be an important factor in non-parenteral transmission of hepatitis B.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens