Hepatitis viruses in southern Taiwan--mass survey of 2985 inhabitants.

A survey of 2985 apparently healthy Taiwanese in southern Taiwan revealed a high prevalence (18.2%) of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). It was significantly higher in males (22.3%) than in females (13.6%), but no correlation with family origin, socioeconomic status or residence was established. About one-third of the breeding female HBsAg carriers were HBeAg-positive, and these may be an important source in the spread of HBV. Subtyping of HBsAg in 63 subjects showed adw to be dominant in this area, and 8 subjects with suspicious results had overlapping heterotypic HBV's (7 adwr and 1 adyw) in addition to 2 subjects in which coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs was recognized. The association between HBsAg positivity and serum transaminase elevation was significant, especially in the older groups who had a higher abnormal rate. Hepatitis A virus infection was serious too, with nearly 100% of people above 20 years of age being anti-HA antibody positive.