SIGNIFICANCE OF HB VIRUS-INFECTION IN AN AREA OF JAPAN WITH HIGH-INCIDENCE OF LIVER-CIRRHOSIS AND HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA - AN ANALYSIS OF CONSECUTIVE STUDIES AMONG INHABITANTS OF TOMIE-TOWN, GOTO ISLANDS
To clarify the relationship of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, investigations were conducted at an area where both these diseases develop frequently. The incidence of HBsAg [hepatitis B surface antigen] and its antibody in 3521 [human] inhabitants of Tomie-Town in the Goto Islands was studied; 5.5% proved to be positive for HBsAg and 22.0% positive for anti-HBsAg. In the HbSAg-positive group, the incidence of hepatomegaly and abnormal liver function were significantly higher than those in other groups. In relation to HBsAg, anti-HbsAg and histological abnormalities of the liver, positive HBsAg was detected in 1 subject with hepatocellular carcinoma associated with liver cirrhosis, 6 of 9 with liver cirrhosis, and 4 of 11 with chronic hepatitis. A positive antibody was found in 1 subject with liver cirrhosis and 4 with chronic hepatitis. Thus, HB [hepatitis B] virus infection was closely associated with latent liver disease in Tomie-Town.