[Hepatitis B virus and the development of human embryonal tumors]

Sera from children bearing embryonal tumors and from their parents were screened for the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its DNA by means of serology and molecular hybridization, respectively. Sera from tumor-bearing children and their parents both contain HBV or its DNA at average 5 times more frequently than the healthy donors or patients with non-oncological diseases. It is suggested that the presence of HBV or its DNA is caused not solely by infection during cure but also by vertical transmission from parents. The presence of HBV or its DNA might be treated as a risk factor increasing the development of embryonal tumors.