It is well known that Korea is one of the endemic area for viral hepatitis, and the
incidence of HBsAg, a known marker for hepatitis B virus, in Korea is relatively high. Author surveyed the prevalence of HBsAg among the normal population and the patients
with liver disease in Chung Cheong province.
HBsAg was detected by radioimmunoassay method and the results are summarized as follows:
1. Positive rate of HBsAg in 187 patients with liver disease was 51.3% and observed by chronic hepatitis (68.3%), liver cirrhosis (56.6%), primary hepatoma (45.2%) and acute viral hepatitis(45. 0%) in order of frequency.
2. Occurance of HBsAg in patient with extrahepatic disease was 15.7%. The positive rate o . Ag in male(18. 5%) was higher than that in female (11: 4%).
3. Occurance of HBsAg in normal population of Chung Cheong province was 5.4% and more frequently found in male (6. 2%) than female (4. 4%)
4. Among the hospital employee, the prevalence of HBsAg was observed in 8.7% of lab. technician, 8.0 0 of medical doctors, 4.4°0 of nurses and 3.4% of others.
5. There was no relationship between the occurance of HBsAg and the duration of professional experience in hospital employee except doctors.
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