The use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin in the Netherlands.

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) was administered to 241 patients contaminated with HBAg positive material; 116 persons were followed up for 7 months after the HBIg injection. Only 4 (3.4%) cases of hepatitis B with jaundice and demonstrable HBAg occurred and 15 (12.9%) cases of subclinical hepatitis B were observed. HBIg is well tolerated. Passively transferred HBAb were demonstrable for 2-3 months and no chronic carriers of HBAg were seen after administration of HBIg.