Categorization of hbv carriers

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] carrier state can broadly be classified into ordinary and super categories on the basis of Hepatitis B 'e' Antigen [HBeAg] and antibody to Hepatitis B 'e' antigen [anti HBe]. A total of 523 cases of HBV infection were included in this retrospective study for the purpose of subcategorization. Out of 433, males 73.44% were ordinary carriers [HBeAg Non-reactive but having antibody to that antigen], 18.01% super carriers [converse serological state] and 8.41% doubly negative carriers. In 90 females tested, 65.55% were ordinary carriers, 26.66% were super carriers and 7.77% were doubly negative. This pattern may help clinicians in prophylaxis to their contacts and for prognostic considerations