Hepatitis B Antigen and Antibody in a Rural Community / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Twenty-five hepatitis B antigen positive individuals, found from the survey study on 1, 984 rural populations, were followed.On repeated examinations, 16 consistently carried the antigen, 7 changed to negative. The remaining one was the wife of a carrier and changed to show antibody.<BR>Transaminases were within normal limits in all cases.<BR>Hepatitis B virus is spreading unrecognisedly in general population and overt hepatitis is rather of exceptional case.<BR>The mechanism by which liver cirrhosis developes on carriers is the question open to future.