HEPATITIS AND HEPATITIS B-ANTIGEN IN GREENLAND. II: OCCURRENCE AND INTERRELATION OF HEPATITIS B ASSOCIATED SURFACE, CORE, AND “e” ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY SYSTEMS IN A HIGHLY ENDEMIC AREA

Abstract

The distribution of hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody (HB_sAg and anti-HB_s), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HB_c), and the hepatitis B associated “e” antigen-antibody system (HB_eAg and anti-HB_e) were studied in three areas in Greenland previously shown to be endemic for hepatitis B. Overall prevalence of HB_sAg and anti-HB_s, ranged from 47 – 81%, thus confirming the existence of a hyperendemicity of the hepatitis B agent in some polar areas. Anti-HB_s, occurred closely correlated to HB_sAg and anti-HB_s, but appeared to be a less sensitive indicator of previous infection. HB_eAg and anti-HB_e were found in HB_sAg-positive sera only. The presence of HB_eAg correlated to a high titer of HB_sAg and to young age and it occurred more frequently in east coast than in northwest coast Greenlanders. The “e”-antibody in contrast prevailed in old age groups and in sera with a low titer of HB_sAg.