The prevalence of HB-Ag (Australia antigen) in the population of Liberia

Abstract

A sero-epidemiological screening of several samples of the Liberian population revealed an overall prevalence of hepatitis-B antigen (HG-Ag) of 11.3% among 405 sera. The rates varied according to differences in sampling, geographical origin and age distribution, with a range of HB-Ag carriers from 9 to 25%. The respective samples of urban populations appeared to have less antigen carriers when compared to rural population samples. A group of about 90 students and teachers from an educational institution, representing immigrant subjects from the coastal and interior regions of Liberia, revealed no substantial differences in the respective rates (10–11%). Two rural populations were sampled and revealed carrier rates of about 12% after age adjustment. The hypothetical role of a vector-borne transmission is discussed as well as the significance of the persistance of the antigen under the influence of immune deficiency and tropical diseases.