The results obtained from epidemiological studies of hepatitis B antigen-antibody system in a rural village were reported. The studies were carried for 5 years on 2719 persons. Among them 1.1% were chronic surface antigen carriers, 0.2% were transiently antigen-positive in turn and 20.0% were antibody-positive.
Some of the antigen carriers showed familial clustering. All surface antigen carriers with e-antibody, however, did not show familial clustering except one case. Subtype of adr is prevalent in this area. 13of15persons whose subtypes were identified, showed adr subtype. The remaining2were adw, and they were sporadic cases with no familial clustering. In a community a large family pedigree of carriers was discovered. Both antigen and antibody were prevalent among persons living in the community.
Among pick-upped 144 persons who showed abnormal liver functions, 12 (8.3%) were found to be surface antigenpositive