Hepatitis B virus infection in prostitutes and homosexuals

ABSTRACT

A total of one hundred sera [fifty from prostitutes and fifty from homosexuals] were tested for the presence of HBsAg [Hepatitis B surface antigen], anti-HBs [antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen] and anti-HBc [antibody to hepatitis B core antigen] by ELISA technique. Twenty three [46%] prostitutes were found to be seropositive [14% HBsAg positive, 24% anti-HBs positive and 8% positive for anti-HBcAg alone]. In homosexual group, 38 [76%] were seropositive for various markers [26% HBsAg positive, 44% anti-HBs positive and 6% positive for anti-HBc alone]. Comparison between prostitutes and homosexuals revealed significantly higher hepatitis B virus infection in homosexuals as shown by higher seropositivity in them