Origin of salivary hepatitis B surface antigen

Low titers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is often found in mixed saliva of antigenemic individuals. In the present study the occurrence of antigen in saliva was correlated to the content of albumin, which is not synthesized by the salivary glands, but represents a leakage into the oral cavity due to hemorrhage, exudation or transudation. The presence of antigen in saliva was also correlated to the titer of antigen in serum.