Distribution of subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen in Western India

HBsAg subtype distribution of 105 positive samples showed 91.4% as ay type. The ay was predominant in different disease conditions, healthy carriers and posttransfusion hepatitis. The prevalence of ay in the Bombay sample is in contrast to the predominance of ad reported from North India. These findings may suggest multifocal infection in different regions of India.