Viral hepatitis A and B: a seroepidemiological study of a non-hepatitic Sydney population.

The age-specific prevalence rates of hepatitis A and B virus markers in 683 patients of all ages with non-hepatitic illnesses admitted to a Sydney hospital over the period from 1971 to 1974 were determined. The pattern of prevalence rates of hepatitis A antibody (anti-HAV) appeared to be a cumulative one, with steadily increasing rates in patients up to the age of 40 years. Thereafter a large increase in prevalence occurred. In contrast, prevalence rates for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were fairly uniform for all age groups. Antibody to core antigen (anti-HBc) was the most frequent marker of HBV infection. Prevalence rates in subjects of non-Anglo-Saxon origin were higher for both HAV and HBV markers.