Hepatitis and hepatitis B-antigen in Greenland. II: Occurrence and interrelation of hepatitis B associated surface, core, and "e" antigen-antibody systems in a highly endemic area.

The distribution of hepatitis B surface antigen and antibody (HBsAg and anti HBs), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), and the heaptitis B associated "e" antigen-antibody system (HBeAg and anti-HBe) were studied in three areas in Greenland previously shown to be endemic for hepatitis B. Overall prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs ranged from 47 - 81%, thus confirming the existence of a hyperendemicity of the hepatitis B agent in some polar areas. Anti-HBc occurred closely correlated to HBsAg and anti-HBs but appeared to be a less sensitive indicator of previous infection. HBeAg and anti-HBe were found in HBsAg-positive sera only. The presence of HBeAg correlated to a high titer of HBsAg and to young age and it occurred more frequently in east coast than in northwest coast Greenlanders. The "e"-antibody in contrast prevailed in old age groups and in sera with a low titer of HBsAg.