[Clinical evaluation of Australia-antigen detection (author's transl)].

The detection of Australia antigen is considered as indication for the presence of a hepatitis with a long incubation period (hepatitis B). Thereby, these findings are getting a considerable diagnostic and prognostic importance. Attempts are made by means of serological and clinical data from permanent blood donors and liver patients to demonstrate the importance of Australia antigen findings with regard to the prevention of transfusion hepatitis and to the clinical evaluation of acute and chronical hepatitis. Furthermore, the role of Australia antigen detection for diagnosis of liver-complaint is discussed.