Hepatitis B Surface Antigen and Antibody
A Prospective Study in Asymptomatic Drug Abusers
- Barry Stimmel, MD;
- Salvatore Vernace, MD;
- Fenton Schaffner, MD
Abstract
The course of reactivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HB ) 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 HBs-Ag-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 HB Ag carrier state in addicts is not maintained if exposure is eliminated.
(JAMA 234:1135-1138, 1975)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Mt Sinai School of Medicine, 100th St and Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10029 (Dr Stimmel).
