Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to HBsAg. Prevalence in homosexual and heterosexual men
D. E. Dietzman, J. P. Harnisch, C. G. Ray, E. R. Alexander and K. K. Holmes
The prevalence rates of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and
antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) were 5.6% and 34% in 144 homosexual men in
Seattle. Prevalence rates were only 0.9% and 3.6% in 111 heterosexual male
venereal disease clinic patients with nongonococcal urethritis, and also
0.9% and 3.6% in 111 healthy men undergoing routine physical examinations.
Thus, previous exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) was estimated to be 8.8
times greater for homosexual men than for heterosexual men. Four of four
HBsAg positive sera from homosexual men were subtyped as "ad," whereas
subtype "ay" is preponderant in intravenous drug abusers. Future public
health measures to control HBV infection should address the prevention of
sexually transmitted HBV infection among homosexual men.
