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Evidence for clustering of hepatitis B virus infection in families of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Tong Myron J.,
Weiner John M.,
Ashcavai Mary W.,
Vyas Girish N.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197912)44:6<2338::aid-cncr2820440650>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - medicine , hbsag , hepatocellular carcinoma , hepatitis b virus , hbeag , cirrhosis , antibody , hepatitis b , immunology , virology , virus , antigen , hepatitis
Family members of 13 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HB s Ag) positive primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) were tested for the presence of hepatitis B virus‐associated antigens and antibodies. Of the 122 members examined, circulating HB s Ag was detected in 47 (39%), antibody to HB s Ag (anti‐HB s ) was found in 37 (30%), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HB c ) alone was present in 13 (11%). The relatives with the highest frequency of HB s Ag positivity were the offspring of the propositus, followed by the nieces and nephews and the grandchildren. Anti‐HB s and anti‐HB c were detected most often in the spouses and non‐blood relatives. Evidence for past and present hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was more frequently found in the Asian family members when compared to the non‐Asians. The e antigen (HB e Ag) was present in 38% of the HB s Ag positive individuals, including four with PHC; antibody to HB e Ag (anti‐HB e ) was rarely detected. These results indicate that clustering of HBV infection was commonly present in family members of patients with PHC. The HB s Ag positive individuals may be major contributors to the endemic pool of the virus, and may themselves be potential cases of chronic active type B hepatitis, cirrhosis, and PHC.