Postgraduate Medical Journal
Volume 58, Issue 685, 1982, Pages 676-679

Hepatitis B among Indochinese refugees in Great Britain (Article) (Open Access)

Chadwick R.G.* , Davidson I. , Hall A.J. , Bull F.G. , Wright R.
  • a Professorial Medical Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
  • b Professorial Medical Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
  • c Professorial Medical Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
  • d Professorial Medical Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom
  • e Professorial Medical Unit, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, United Kingdom

Abstract

Six hundred and thirty-two blood samples from 879 consecutive admissions to one resettlement camp for Indochinese refugees in Great Britain were screened for markers of hepatitis B (HB) virus infection. The overall prevalence of HB surface antigen (HBsAg) was 15%, being 16% in those aged 40 years or less, and falling to 8% in those older than 40 (P<0.05). No significant difference in prevalence was found between males and females. HBe antigen was detected in 56% of those with HBsAg and was demonstrable in 55-76% of those under 30 years of age. HBe antibody was found in 21% of HBsAg-positive refugees. In those under 40 years old, HB core (HBc) antibody was commoner in males (P<0.01). HBc antibody prevalence increased significantly with age in females (P<0.401) but not in males. There was no definite evidence that vertical transmission of hepatitis B was present in the group studied. © 1982 The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Short Survey Vietnam human epidemiology Refugees middle aged Great Britain screening Humans Adolescent male female Infant Liver Child, Preschool diagnosis adult ethnic or racial aspects hepatitis B surface antigen Hepatitis B Surface Antigens hepatitis B hepatitis e antigen Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0020458977&doi=10.1136%2fpgmj.58.685.676&partnerID=40&md5=65063eedde05ce20dec5380b97e92812
DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.58.685.676
ISSN: 00325473
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English