Follow-Up of Blood Donors Positive for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen

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Abstract
From 1973 to 1977 in Amsterdam the incidence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in blood donations from new donors was 0.224 and from known donors 0.034%. 65 donors, previously found positive for HBsAg, were re-examined. Persistence of HBsAg in new donors (28 of 31) occurred significantly (p<0.0005) more often than in known donors (15 of 34). All carriers were classified into HBeAg (21%) or anti-HBe (79%) by a sensitive Elisa technique. Abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) were observed in 30% of the carriers and were significantly (p<0.005) more often found in HBeAg than in anti-HBe-positive carriers. When the LFTs remained abnormal, in almost all (8 of 9) carriers moderate to severe histological liver disease was diagnosed.