ANTIBODY AGAINST THE HEPATITIS TYPE B CORE ANTIGEN

Abstract

Four random samples representing populations at low (volunteer blood donors), intermediate, (VD clinic patients), high (family contacts of chronic antigen carriers) and very high (male homosexuals) risk of exposure to HBV were surveyed. Among HB_sAg and anti-HB_s negative individuals an average of 3.3% were found to be anti-HB_s positive, and among those with anti-HB_s. 19.4% were anti-HB_c positive. Anti-HB_c, with concurrent anti-HB_s and without, was detected more frequently in the high risk samples than in the low risk. Individuals with a past history of acute viral hepatitis were more frequently anti-HBc positive than those without such a history, and anti-HB_c positivity was frequently accompanied by serum transaminase elevation. Anti-HB_c may persist for many years after an episode of acute hepatitis. In households of carriers, the highest frequency of anti-HB_c was observed among spouses, which would argue for the possibility of sexual transmission. A significant excess of females with both types of antibody was observed in families of carriers. Anti-HBC determinations in conjunction with other HBV markers, provide a useful new tool for epidemiologic studies.