wVariants of the Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Israeli Populations

Abstract
A survey of w variants of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG) among native and immigrant Israelis revealed that the subtype ayw2 predominated among asymptomatic HBsAG carriers (69%), and patients with acute (83%) and chronic active hepatitis B (81%). The subtypes ayw3, ayw4 and adw2, uncommon in native populations, were carried by immigrants and transients. The high prevalence of ayw2 among native Israeli carriers (87%), and in particular natives with acute (93%) and chronic active hepatitis B (86%), indicates that the introduction of nonindigenous viral strains has not overtly altered the anticipated geographic distribution of hepatitis B viruses.