The surface antigen (HBsAg) and the e-antigen (HBeAg) in Somalian patients with acute viral hepatitis

Serum samples from 55 Somalian patients with acute viral hepatitis were examined for the presence of the surface antigen (HBsAG) and the e-antigen (HBeAg) and the corresponding antibodies (anti-HBs and anti-e). No e-antigen was detected in patients with viral hepatitis or in controls (47 cases); anti-e was found in 23.6% of hepatitis cases, all of whom were HBsAg carriers, and in 10% of the controls. The HBsAg was found in 60% of cases with hepatitis and 34% of controls; the anti-HBs was detected in 18% of the patients with hepatitis, all except one of whom were negative for HBsAg; in the one exception the HBsAg and anti-HBs were present simultaneously; the anti-HBs was found in 44.6% of controls. The frequency of serological evidence of hepatitis B infection (HBV) based on the presence of antigen/antibody HBs was 78.2% among patients with acute viral hepatitis; only 30% of these patients showed evidence of anti-e antibody.