The virus of hepatitis B a new dimension in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted disease.

Ten patients presenting with venereal or dermatological disorders have been found to have evidence of infection with the virus of hepatitis B; only five had distinguishable liver dysfunction, yet all had either detectable antigen or antibody. Antigen subtype ayw has been identified in four of these people. Once rare in the local population, hepatitis B virus infection appears to be increasing in incidence with cases attributable to inoculation and to direct contact, as well as presenting as a covert partner to gonorrhoea, urethritis and candidiasis. Testing for hepatitis B antigen and antibody is recommended for patients attending the venereal diseases clinic, for patients presenting for removal of tattoos, for those with suspected drug taking and for Polynesians, in whom the carrier rate may be expected to be high (Austin and others, 1974). In our current clinical practice the sterilisation of instruments, the handling of patients, and the transmission of specimens to the laboratory have been reviewed in the light of the US Public Health Service supplement 1976, Perspectives on the Control of Viral Hepatitis, Type B.