title: Epidemiological and clinical findings in viral hepatitis.
abstract: An HBsAg prevalence of 17.27% was found in 480 young adult viral hepatitis (VH) patients from semi-closed communities. The evolution of HBsAg positive VH had a seasonal aspect, resembling that of serologically negative forms. Analyzed according to the moment when the communities were set up, HBsAg-negative VH morbidity had a biphasic pattern, suggesting the occurrence of two distinct viral etiologies. The length of the stationary phase, the prevalence of protracted clinical forms, that high frequency of relapses and of the need for corticotherapy point to the increased severity of HBsAg positive VH.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012383:Romania; D012621:Seasons
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens