Viral Hepatitis in a Venereal Clinic Population: Relation to Certain Risk Factors

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Abstract
Three groups of patients were studied: 95 homosexual males, 117 heterosexual males and 68 females attending clinics for veneral diseases in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ten cases of hepatitis B infection were found, all in homosexual males. Chronic carriership of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and presence of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) was demonstrated in 8 and 5 cases, respectively, and liver biopsy showed chronic liver disease in 5 of the 8 HBsAg-positive cases. The prevalence rate of hepatitis B antibody was significantly higher in all patient groups than in the general population in the area. Two patients had non-B hepatitis, 1 homosexual male and 1 female, but the prevalence rate of hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV) was not increased in the venereal clinic population. The serological tests identified certain high risk groups regarding hepatitis B infection: homosexual males > 25 yr with anti-HAV and a high promiscuity; and heterosexual males and females > 25 yr with a past history of veneral disease and clinical hepatitis. Sexual transmission evidently plays an important role in the spread of hepatitis B infection. Routine serological tests for hepatitis should be taken in the high risk groups of venereal clinic populations.