Original article
English
M.A.A. Khadre 1, M. Swehli 2
1-Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Al Fateh, Tripoli, S.P.L.A.J. 2-Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Al Fateh, Tripoli, S.P.L.A.J.
Garyounis Medical Journal Vol 5, No.2. July 1982:31-33
Abstract
A total of 3324 serum specimens were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by the passive hemagglutination method. These serum specimens were obtained from donors at blood banks in Tripoli hospitals, mothers and their newborn infants, children up to the age of 15 years and hospital employees in 7 Libyan cities (Tripoli, Benghazi, Sebha, Khoms, Mesrata, Tarhouna and Ghadames,).
Of the total group tested. 4.12% were positive for HBsAg. The highest prevalence of HBsAg was in the blood donors group (5.88%). The lowest prevalence of this antigen was in the mothers (0.46%). The group of the newborn infants of these mothers exihibited a little higher serum positivity for HBsAg than their mothers, but the infants were still much lower than the blood donors group (0.69%). The group of children tested gave an intermediate positivity for HBsAg (2.85%).
The significance of these results is discussed.
Keywords: Prevalence of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in the Libyan Jamahiriya
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