title: Hepatitis-associated antigen in sporadic cases of acute viral hepatitis.
abstract: Serum specimens collected during the period from September 1970 to April 1971 from hospitalized patients and apparently healthy staff members at risk were tested for the presence of hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) by the parallel use of three techniques: the complement fixation test, crossover-electrophoresis and immuno-electronmicroscopy.Out of a total of 204 persons investigated 63 (30.9%) were found to harbour the antigen. The HAA-positive sera originated almost exclusively from sporadic cases of acute viral hepatitis (clinically diagnosed as "infectious hepatitis" or "serum hepatitis"). The great majority of the hepatitis cases studied had a history of drug addiction.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000209:etiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens