Summary
EIGHTY-ONE sera, positive for hepatitis B antigen (HBAg), comprising 40 patients with hepatitis, 36 blood donors and carriers and five drug addicts, were subtyped as eitherad oray using a semi-micro immunodiffusion test. Antibodies toa, d andy determinants were shown to occur in serum from a haemophiliac and were used to prepare specific antisera.
Blood donors, carriers and acute hepatitis cases were predominantly of thead subtype while drug addicts were allay. There was a significantly uneven distribution of the subtypes among age groups, theay subtype predominating in those under 30, and it is thought that this could be accounted for by the increased social mixing among the younger age groups. Subtypes were evenly distributed between male and female.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bancroft, W. H., Mundon, F. K., Russell, P. K. 1972. Detection of additional antigenic determinants of hepatitis B antigen. J. Immunol., 109, 842.
Editorial. 1973. Deeper into hepatitis B. Lancet ii, 887.
Feinstone, S. M., Kapikian, A. Z., Purcell, R. H. 1973. Hepatitis A; detection by immune electron microscopy of a viruslike antigen associated with acute illness. Science, 182, 4116.
Fulford, K. W. M., Dane, D. S., Catterall, R. D., Woof, R. Denning, J. V. 1973. Australia antigen and antibody among patients attending a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases. Lancet, ii, 1470.
Heathcote, J., Cameron, C. H., Dane, D. S. 1974. Hepatitis B antigen in saliva and semen. Lancet, i, 71.
Heathcote, J., Sherlock, S. 1973. Spread of acute type B hepatitis in London. Lancet, ii, 1468.
Henigst, W. 1973. Sexual transmission of infections associated with hepatitis B antigen. Lancet, ii, 1395.
Holland, P. V., Purcell, R. H., Smith, H., Alter, H. J. 1972. Subtyping of hepatitis-associated antigen (HBAg); simplified technique with counterelectrophoresis. J. Immunol., 109, 421.
Jeffries, D. J., James, W. H., Jefferiss, F. J. D., MacLeod, K. G., Willcox, R. R. 1973. Australia (hepatitis-associated) antigen in patients attending a venereal disease clinic. Brit. med. J., ii, 455.
Le Bouvier, G. L. 1971. The heterogeneity of Australia antigen. J. Infect. Dis., 123, 671.
Le Bouvier, G. L., McCollum, R. W., Hierholzer, W. J., Irwin, G. R., Krugman, S., Giles, J. P. 1972. Subtypes of Australia antigen and hepatitis B virus. J. Am. med. Assoc., 222, 928–930.
Magnius, L. O., Espmark, J. A. 1972. New specificities in Australia antigen positive sera distinct from the Le Bouvier determinants. J. Immunol., 109, 1017.
Mosley, J. W., Edwards, V. M., Wapplehorst, B., Hajduk, P. 1974. Hepatitis B virus subtypesad anday among blood donors in the Greater Los Angeles area. Personal Communication, Transfusion, in press.
Mazzur, S., Burgert, S., Blumberg, B. S. 1974. Geographical distribution of Australia antigen determinantsd. y andw, Nature, 247, 38.
Nordenfelt, E., Le Bouvier, G., personal communication.
Shattock, A. G. 1974. Hepatitis Associated (Australia) Antigen in the Republic of Ireland; A preliminary report. Irish J. med. Sci., 143, 162.
Shattock, A. G., Temperley, I. J. Hepatitis B. antigen and aitnbody in haemophiliacs. In preparation.
Soulier, J. P., Courouce-Pauty, A. M. 1973. New determinants of hepatitis B antigen (Au or HB antigen). Vox. Sang., 25, 212–234.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shattock, A.G., Gorry, H.F.M. Hepatitis B antigen (HBAg) in the Republic of Ireland: Distribution of ad and ay subtypes. Ir J Med Sci 143, 214–219 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03004765
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03004765