Serologic markers for hepatitis B among Marshallese accidentally exposed to fallout radiation in 1954.
At least one serologic marker of prior hepatitis B infection (hepatitis B surface antigen, antibody to surface antigen, or antibody to core antigen) was found in 91.7% of 314 Marshallese tested. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigenemia (3.3%) in a subpopulation that had resided on Rongelap Atoll at the time of accidental exposure to radioactive fallout from a thermonuclear test in 1954 did not differ significantly from the prevalence in a selected unexposed population (10.5%).
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008849:Micronesia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000276:immunology*; D011847:Radioactive Fallout / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D011847:Radioactive Fallout