title: Difference in prevalence of hepatitis B markers in children born either in Sweden or in Turkey of Assyrian immigrants.
abstract: Sera from 95 children below 20 years of age born to Assyrian immigrants were tested for markers for hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV markers were found in 26% of the study population. However, no markers were demonstrated in children born in Sweden. Of the 62 children born in Turkey or the Middle East 39% had HBV markers and 4 (6.5%) had HBsAg. Three of the 4 HBsAg+ children had anti-HBe and 1 HBeAg. These results suggest that the transmission of HB in Assyrians may be mainly horizontal rather than vertical. Children of Assyrian immigrants born in Sweden do not seem to constitute a risk group for transmission of HB, whereas those born in Turkey or the Middle East constitute the same risk as reported in a general population of Turks.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East / Q000208:ethnology; D012306:Risk; D013548:Sweden; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens