The Distribution of Subtypes in Various Swedish Populations Positive for Hepatitis B Antigen

Abstract

Sera from various previously described populations positive for hepatitis B antigen (HBAg) have been investigated with respect to their antigenic subspecificities. Two dialysis unit epidemics were found to be associated with HBAg (Y), and thus, by inference, with hepatitis B virus of subtype Y (HBV-Y). The same subtype was found among addicts. HBV-D, however, was predominant among blood donors, and was also the only subtype found among carriers at a hospital for the mentally retarded and in a small outbreak at a home for the aged. These findings confirm earlier investigations showing that both D and Y subtypes are found in Western societies, but with uneven distribution, reflecting the epidemic and endemic spread of the different genotypes of hepatitis virus. Of potential epidemiological interest is the finding of a new HBAg variant carrying both d and y specificities on the same particles. This antigen was found in serum from a mentally retarded 49-year-old male patient. Of 35 sera tested with respect to w and r, 33 were w+. The two r+ sera belonged to 2 adopted Korean children.