SURFACE-ANTIGEN (HBSAG) AND THE E-ANTIGEN (HBEAG) IN SOMALIAN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE VIRAL-HEPATITIS

Serum samples from 55 Somalian patients with acute viral hepatitis were examined for the presence of the surface antigen (HBsAg) and the e-antigen (HBeAg) and the corresponding antibodies (anti-HBs and anti-e). No e-antigen was detected in patients with viral hepatitis or in controls (47 cases); anti-e was found in 23.6% of hepatitis cases, all of whom were HBsAg carriers, and in 10% of the controls. The HBsAg was found in 60% of cases with hepatitis and 34% of controls; the anti-HBswas detected in 18% of the patients with hepatitis, all except one of whom were negative for HBsAg; in the one exception the HBsAg and anti-HBs were present simultaneously; the anti-HBs was found in 44.6% of controls. The frequency of serological evidence of hepatitis B infection (HBV) based on the presence of antigen/antibody HBs was 78.2% among patients with acute viral hepatitis; only 30% of these patients showed evidence of anti-e antibody. © 1979, Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene.