title: Seroepidemiologic investigations of hepatitis in the tropics. A study on volunteers of the German volunteer service.
abstract: Sera from 349 volunteers of the German Volunteer service (GVS), who had lived in tropical or subtropical countries for about two years were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen two years were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBS-antigen), antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti--HBS), and antibody to Hepatitis A antigen (anti-HA) by radioimmunoassay. The findings were compared with those from a control group whose sex, age and occupational status corresponded with the volunteer group. The incidence of HBS-antigen was equal in both groups (1%). Anti-HA was found in 34% and anti-HBS in 19% of the volunteers but only in 26% and 7%, respectively, of the members of the control group. The greatest occurence of anti-HA was found among volunteers of the health service (46%) and technical service (35%) and of anti-HBS among the health service (29%), economic service (26%) and agricultural service (21%). Returned volunteers from West Africa showed a higher frequency (anti-HA 38%, anti-HBS 30%) than those from other countries (anti-HA 30%, anti-HBS 17%). The increased frequency of hepatitis corresponded with an increase in the morbidity rate from 25.5/10 000/year prior to service to 244/10 000/year during the service.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001208:Asia; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West / Q000208:ethnology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006507:Hepatovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013020:South America; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014900:West Indies
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens