AGE‐ AND SEX‐RELATED DISTRIBUTION OF ANTIBODIES TO HEPATITIS B SURFACE AND CORE ANTIGENS IN A SWEDISH POPULATION

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Abstract
Serum samples from people born between the years 1895 and 1970 were collected and tested for antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs) by passive haemagglutination (PHA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA), and for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) by immunoelectroosmophoresis (IEOP). Neither anti‐HBs nor anti‐HBc was detected in the serum from anyone under 15 years of age. The prevalence of anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc showed peaks of 9.2 and 8.3 per cent, respectively, in the age group of 40–49 years. The distribution of antibody was equal between men and women. Eighty per cent of the sera with anti‐HBs were also positive for anti‐HBc. All sera positive for anti‐HBc also contained anti‐HBs.