Abstract
Serum samples from people born from 1895-1970 were collected and tested for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) by passive hemagglutination (PHA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA), and for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) by immunoelectrosmophoresis (IEOP). Neither anti-HBs nor anti-HBc was detected in the serum from anyone < 15 yr old. The prevalence of anti-HBs and anti-HBc showed peaks of 9.2 and 8.3%, respectively, in the age group of 40-49 yr. The distribution of antibody was equal between men and women. Of the sera with anti-HBs, 80% were also positive for anti-HBc. All sera positive for anti-HBc also contained anti-HBs.