Viral hepatitis in a venereal clinic population. Relation to certain risk factors. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1981. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Viral hepatitis in a venereal clinic population. Relation to certain risk factors.

Scand J Infect Dis. 1980;12(4):245-9. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/81103052
Hentzer B; Skinhoj P; Hoybye G; Nielsen AO; Kvorning SA; Faber V

Abstract: In the present survey 3 groups of patients were studied: 95 homosexual males, 117 heterosexual males and 68 females attending clinics for venereal diseases in Copenhagen. 10 cases of hepatitis B infection were found, all in homosexual males. Chronic carriership of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and presence of hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) was demonstrated in 8 and 5 cases, respectively and liver biopsy showed chronic liver disease in 5 out of the 8 former. The prevalence rate of hepatitis B antibody was significantly higher in all patient groups than in the general population in the area. Two patients had non-B hepatitis, 1 homosexual male and 1 female, but the prevalence rate of hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV) was not increased in the venereal clinic population. The serological tests identified certain high risk groups regarding hepatitis B infection: (1) homosexual males > 25 years with anti-HAV and a high promiscuity; and (2) heterosexual males and females > 25 years with a past history of venereal disease and clinical hepatitis. The data are compatible with the hypothesis that sexual transmission plays an important role in the spread of hepatitis B infection. It is recommended that routine serological tests for hepatitis be taken in the high risk groups of venereal clinic populations.
Keywords: Adult Female Hepatitis A/*EPIDEMIOLOGY Hepatitis B/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/IMMUNOLOGY Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/ANALYSIS *Homosexuality Human Male Middle Age Prospective Studies Risk JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEWKWDadultfemalehepatitisa/KWDepidemiologyhepatitisb/KWDepidemiology/immunologyhepatitisbsurfaceantigens/analysisKWDhomosexualityhumanmalemiddleageprospectivestudiesriskjournalarticlereview
810530
M8150001

Copyright © 1981 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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