The surface antigen (HB sAg) and the e-antigen (HB eAg) in Somalian patients with acute viral hepatitis

Serum samples from 55 Somalian patients with acute viral hepatitis were examined for the presence of the surface antigen (HB sAg) and the e-antigen (HB eAg) and the corresponding antibodies (anti-HB s and anti-e). No e-antigen was detected in patients with viral hepatitis or in controls (47 cases); anti-e was found in 23.6% of hepatitis cases, all of whom were HB sAg carriers, and in 10% of the controls. The HB sAg was found in 60% of cases with hepatitis and 34% of controls; the anti-HB s was detected in 18% of the patients with hepatitis, all except one of whom were negative for HB sAg; in the one exception the HB sAg and anti-HB s were present simultaneously; the anti-HB s was found in 44.6% of controls. The frequency of serological evidence of hepatitis B infection (HBV) based on the presence of antigen/antibody HB s was 78.2% among patients with acute viral hepatitis; only 30% of these patients showed evidence of anti-e antibody.