Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody. A prospective study in asymptomatic drug abusers
B. Stimmel, S. Vernace and F. Schaffner
The course of reactivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and
antibody (anti-HBs) in 238 asymptomatic heroin addicts entering methadone
maintenance was followed up for periods of one to four years. On initial
determination, HBsAg was seen in 39.1%, anti-HBs in 10.5%, and HBsAg and
anti-HBs in 9.2%; only 41.2% of persons tested had no detectable titers of
either antigen or antibody. Abnormal liver function was found initially in
83% with no significant difference between those with or without HBsAg and
anti-HBs. At the conclusion of each study year, 50% to 60% of persons
initially HBsAg-positive reverted to negative with HBsAg absent in all
persons followed up through the fourth year of treatment. Anti-HBs
persisted in two thirds of persons during the entire study. These results
suggest that the HBsAg carrier state in addicts is not maintained if
exposure is eliminated.
