A histological and serological study of persistent hepatitis B antigenaemia

A population of persistent hepatitis B antigen positive persons was investigated in north Taranaki. Over a period of three years, 0.17 percent of blood donors and 7.7 percent of patients investigated for acute infection, possibly hepatitis, had a positive test for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Repeat testing was performed at approximately four months in 65 persons and 18 (28 percent) remained positive and of these 15 were males. Liver biopsy in 17 of these patients revealed chronic persistent hepatitis in 30 percent, non-specific changes in 11 percent and in the remainder no significant abnormalities were found. There was no correlation of histology with a wide variety of hepatitis B serological markers. Forty-seven percent of the persistent carriers were Maoris and this group may be more susceptible to chronic hepatitis B infection. Long term follow up of HBsAg carriers is recommended to ascertain the prognosis of this condition.