title: Hepatitis B antigen and antibodies in rural and urban Southern African blacks.
abstract: Random samples which represented Blacks living in an urban area (Durban) and a rural area (Transkei) of the east coast of southern Africa were investigated for the incidence and distribution of hepatitis B antigen and antibodies. The overall prevalence of carriers of the virus was higher in rural communities (15,5%) than in the urban population (7,4%). In adults the formation of antibodies to the virus correlated with the pattern of increased activity of the hepatitis B carrier. Similar correlations could not be made for children living in the rural area. Of significance was the observation that the high carrier rate of the virus (17%) was more often associated with a reduced development of antibodies to the virus. Evidence for a depressed immunity and inability to make hepatitis B antibodies in these children is thought to be linked with the high prevalence of other forms of endemic infections, particularly acute measles.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population; D013019:South Africa; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens