Korean J Dermatol.  1978 Dec;16(6):443-447.

Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBs Ag) Incidenc in Korean Leprosy Patients

• Park YJ
• Hah YM
• Moon SK

Abstract

Sera from clinically, bacteriologically and pathologically proven 395 leprosy patients were tested for Hepatitis B surface Antigen(HBsAg) using counterimrnunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), As a control, sera from 816 healthy inhabitants, 3,525 professional blood donors and 22 ctinical Laboratory technicians were subjected to HBsAg testing. The HBsAg in Leprosy patients were evaluated in disease types, sex and age differences, and grops in out-patients and settled patients. The following results were obtained. 1. The positivity frequency of HBsAg in leprosy patients was not different from the other control groups. Only high incidence is observed in the clinical laboratory technician group. 2. The incidence of HBsAg in Tuberculoid type was higher than in Lepromatous type much more higher incidence is observed in the Borderline and Indeterminate types. 3. There was no sex differences in HBsAg incidence among leprosy patients. 4. The HBsAg incidence was comparatively higher in socially active age group (21 -40 years) patients than in the other age groups. 5. There was no social environrnental differences (out-patients and settled patients) in HBsAg incidence, 6. There was no direct evidence of the relationship between HBsAg and lepresy types so far.

MeSH Terms

Blood Donors
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens*
Hepatitis B*
Hepatitis*
Humans
Incidence
Laboratory Personnel
Leprosy*
Medical Laboratory Personnel
Outpatients
Sex Characteristics
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens