title: Frequencies of hepatitis B, delta and HTLV-III virus markers in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: Serum samples from 608 residents of Saudi Arabia were examined for the presence of hepatitis B, delta and HTLV-III virus markers. The HBsAg carrier rate was 17% and the prevalence of all hepatitis B virus markers was 55%. Males between 16 and 25 years had a significantly higher prevalence of all HBV markers (69%; 95% confidence limits: 49%-82%) compared to females in the same age group (34%; 95% confidence limits: 25%-45%). The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher among males aged 25-35 years (24%; 95% confidence limits: 19%-40%) compared to females in the same age group (9%; 95% confidence limits: 4%-18%). In addition, the HBsAg carrier rate for all males (23%) was significantly higher compared to females (11%) (p less than 0.001). HBeAg was found in 12% of 89 HBsAg-positive individuals, 48% were anti-HBe positive and 40% were negative for both markers. Hepatitis B virus DNA was found in 11 of 41 individuals tested. Five of these were HBeAg positive and four were anti-HBe positive. Anti-delta was found in three of 36 HBsAg positive serum samples (8%). Of 485 individuals tested for anti-HTLV-III, none were positive.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Arya
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arendrup
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krogsgaard
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Parande
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Orskov
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ageel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies