Kirk A P, Vitale A, Morgan M Y, Sherlock S
Scand J Infect Dis. 1980;12(4):251-6. doi: 10.3109/inf.1980.12.issue-4.03.
Between June and August, 1977 there was a small epidemic of type B viral hepatitis in a market town in South-East England during which 4 people developed acute hepatitis. Their close friends and contacts were all negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) at this time. One year later, in July 1978, 3 of the original 4 patients were available for follow-up. All were HBsAg negative but hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) positive. Two had disturbed liver function tests and chronic persistent hepatitis on liver biopsy. Also at this time 2 of the original contacts were found to show evidence, from the serum markers, of previous infection by the type B virus. Both had abnormal liver function tests and showed chronic persistent or chronic active hepatitis on liver biopsy. A further subject was identified who had had an overt hepatitis 1 year previously and who also showed evidence of continuing liver disease. The origin of the epidemic and its spread through the group were identified. The varying modes of transmission, and the variation in clinical picture and sequelae are discussed. The importance of anti-HBc as a marker of hepatitis B virus infection is emphasised.
1977年6月至8月期间，英格兰东南部的一个集镇爆发了小规模的乙型病毒性肝炎疫情，期间有4人患上急性肝炎。当时他们的亲密朋友和接触者的乙型肝炎表面抗原（HBsAg）检测均为阴性。一年后的1978年7月，最初的4名患者中有3人接受了随访。他们的HBsAg均为阴性，但乙型肝炎表面抗体（抗-HBs）和乙型肝炎核心抗体（抗-HBc）呈阳性。其中两人肝功能检查结果异常，肝活检显示为慢性持续性肝炎。同样在这个时候，发现最初的两名接触者血清标志物显示有既往感染乙型病毒的证据。两人肝功能检查均异常，肝活检显示为慢性持续性或慢性活动性肝炎。还发现了另一名受试者，他在一年前患过明显的肝炎，也有持续肝病的证据。确定了疫情的源头及其在该群体中的传播情况。讨论了不同的传播方式以及临床表现和后遗症的差异。强调了抗-HBc作为乙型肝炎病毒感染标志物的重要性。
