title: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus markers among Polish urban alcoholics.
abstract: 124 consecutive patients (mean age: 41.1 years; range: 20-63 years) attending an outpatient alcoholic clinic were tested for the presence of markers of HBV infection. HBsAg was found in 26 (21%), anti-HBs and/or anti-HBc in the absence of HBsAg in 35 (28%). Altogether, at least one marker was present in 61 (49%), these results being significantly higher than in a matched control population. In 70 cases HBV status was compared with epidemiological data. No relationship was found with past blood transfusions, hospitalization or jaundice. HBV infection was, however, more common when parents of the subjects were alcoholics, which points to a possible role of family spreading. Furthermore, chronic infection with HBV was related to high alcohol intake.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunopathology, Institute of Infectious Diseases, Wolska, Poland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laskus
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lupa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szczutowska
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Babiuch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens