Maternal transmission of hepatitis B virus infection in relation to the hepatitis B e antigen/antibody system and serum hepatitis B virus-DNA were evaluated. Results indicate that hepatitis B virus-DNA analysis can identify hepatitis B serum antigen positive mothers who may transmit infection to their offspring.

The seroepidemiology of hepatitis B was studied in Kiribati (formerly the Gilbert Islands). Six hundred and two (98%) of the population studied showed evidence of current or previous infection. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was 31% (188/615) and of the e antigen was 9% (58/615). Infection was acquired early in life, and the prevalence of both antigens declined with age. The rate...

By the end of 1970s, Italy was a country at medium endemic level of hepatitis B virus infection, with wide geographical differences; intrafamily transmission was the major mode by which infection spread; hepatitis B e antigen positivity and hepatitis Delta positivity were frequently detected in hepatitis B surface antigen chronic carriers; a high proportion of subjects with chronic liver diseas...

results the mean age of chb patients was 38.5± 11.9 years and 55.9% of them (231 patients) were male. there were 13 cases (3.1%) with hdv infection. there was no association between positive anti-hdv serology and factors such as age, gender, carrier state, liver enzymes, and positive hepatitis b e antigen (hbeag) serology. conclusions although hdv had a low prevalence in our area, it is importa...

We report a case of methimazole-induced acute hepatic failure, which occurred 17 weeks after initiation of the drug in a 43-year-old man with hyperthyroidism and hepatitis B surface antigenemia. Postmortem needle autopsy of the liver revealed an established micronodular cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis B with moderate septal/portal inflammation, marked cholestasis and scattered acidophilic bodi...

results hepatitis b surface antigen (hbsag) was found in 122/3000 (4.1%) prisoners. hepatitis b e antigen (hbeag), anti-hiv, anti-hcv and anti-hiv/anti-hcv were detected in 52/122 (42.6%), 12/122 (10%), 22/122 (18%) and 3/122 (2.4%) prisoners, respectively. the hbv-dna was found in 115/122 (94.3%) prisoners. the most high risk behavior was to utilize the collaborative syringe by injecting drug ...

We develop mathematical models for the role of hepatitis B e-antigen in creating immunological tolerance during hepatitis B virus infection and propose mechanisms for hepatitis B e-antigen clearance, subsequent emergence of a potent cellular immune response, and the effect of these on liver damage. We investigate the dynamics of virus-immune cells interactions, and derive parameter regimes that...