Incidence and significance of hepatitis B and A virus serologic markers in Greek cirrhotic patients.

The incidence of serological markers of hepatitis B and A virus infection was studied by radioimmunoassay in 89 Greek cirrhotic patients. Controls consisted of 90 patients without liver disease. HBsAg was detected in 62 (69.5%) patients, anti-HBs in 35 (39.3%), anti-HBc in 60 (67.4%), HBeAg in 13 (14.6%), anti-HBe in 58 (65.1%), and the anti-HAV in 86 (96.6%). The corresponding figures for the control group were: HBsAg 4 (4.5%), anti-HBs 34 (37.7%), anti-HBc 41 (45.5%), HBeAg 3 (3.3%), anti-HBe 21 (23.3%), and anti-HAV 86 (95.5%). This high incidence of positive reactions in cirrhotic patients strongly suggests the possibility that HBV infection may be an important causative factor in the development of cirrhosis in Greece. No association could be established between hepatitis A virus infection and cirrhosis.