Survey of HB antigen, its subtype, and HB antibody in Shokawa village (Hida region) (II)

In Shokawa village, HB antigen carriers were detected in 23 (2.1%) of 1, 119 tested subjects over 12 years old. Of 23 HB antigenemia, four cases were adr and 16 were adw, but 3 were could not be subtyped. All of these 16 adw were born in Shokawa village, while all of 4 adr were originated from other regions after their being adult. Therfore the subtype of persistent HB antigen carriers seems to be closely related to their bath place rather than their residence. The accumulation of HB antigen was detected in one family of adr and 3 ones of adw, who had the same subtype in the family line respectively. This accumulation was found in the relationship of a mother and her children, but not found in that of a father and his children or between the married couple. These data probably indicate that such maternal transmission is important passway for persistent infection in HB antigen subtype.