title: Immunogenetic factors in thalassemia and hepatitis B infection. A multicentre study.
abstract: Geographical variations in the prevalence of hepatitis B infection were found in association with an increased opportunity of exposure to this virus in patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia in Cyprus, Greece, Sardinia and the United Kingdom. No association was found between the Gm phenotype of the individuals investigated and susceptibility to hepatitis B virus using HBsAg as a marker, or the ability to make antibody to it. Variation in the distribution of Gm haplotypes does not appear to be a feasible explanation for variation in anti-HBs and HBsAg frequencies in a series of highly transfused populations.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003535:Cyprus; D006115:Greece; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007223:Infant; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000032:analysis; D007558:Italy; D010641:Phenotype; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007519:Isoantigens