Hepatitis D anti-bodies in some HBs Ag positive in Saudis at Riyadh.

This study was done on 212 male and female Saudi blood donors and those visiting the Outpatient Clinics in Al Ali General Hospital during the years 1987 to 1990. None of them had history of hepatitis and all were clinically free. The prevalence of anti-Delta Ab in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) carriers was 17.6%. The existence of closely linked family ties and joint family systems, result in close contact between patients and other members of the family and hence the high prevalence rate in normal population (8%). Vaccination against Hepatitis B virus may be particularly necessary.