title: Hepatitis B in Nuremberg, Germany. Epidemiology of a drug-associated epidemic. Among US Army soldiers.
abstract: Beginning in 1971, acute viral hepatitis was epidemic among US soldiers stationed in Europe, with a total of over 8,700 cases reported between 1971 and 1974. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) determinations suggest a predominance of hepatitis B. In the Nuremberg area, primary association was with the illicit use of drugs. This association was demonstrated by a chronologic relationship between measurable community drug use and the number of hepatitis admissions three to six months later and by a case-control study. Parenteral drug use and, to a lesser degree, cannabis smoking appeared to be factors in disease transmission. Sharing of illicit drugs with a hepatitis contact, whether parenterally or orally, was associated with increased risk of contracting the disease.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002188:Cannabis / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine; D008517:Phytotherapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens