Changing Patterns in the Distribution of Hepatitis B Subtypes

Abstract

From July 1, 1969-June 30, 1977, 4413 patients with acute viral hepatitis were admitted to Fairfield Hospital, Melbourne [Australia], of whom 1129 (25.6%) had hepatitis type B. Only 2 of the 4 major subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were detected, HBsAg/ayw and HBsAg/adw and of these HBsAg/ayw was present in 80.4% of cases. Over the 8 yr period, hepatitis B became more common in Melbourne and the proportion of patients infected with the ayw subtype increased from 75-91%. Approximately 50% of the patients with hepatitis B were i.v. drug abusers. In most of the others the source of infection was unknown.