[Prevalence of serological hepatitis A and B markers in Bavarian blood donors (author's transl)].

Sera from 1966 Bavarian blood donors were investigated by radioimmunoassay for serological markers of past hepatitis A and B infections. The prevalence of hepatitis A antibody increased with age and was higher in the urban than in rural populations. More than 80% of persons above 40 years of age had antibody whereas only few young adults showed previous exposure to hepatitis a virus. 20 of 1093 random persons (1.8%) were HBsAg positive at first blood donation. In all age groups anti-HBc was the best marker for previous hepatitis B exposure. There was no correlation between the frequency of hepatitis A and B markers.