The changing subtypes of hepatitis B surface antigen in Hungary and the lack of correlation with severity and chronicity of the disease.

Two hundred and twenty sera from asymptomatic carriers and 129 sera from acute hepatitis patients were subtyped. Subtype adw was found in a significantly higher percentage of asymptomatic carriers. The indices of disease severity and chronicity were compared in adw and ayw cases. Now significnat difference was found. The incidence of subtype ayw in acute hepatitis patient was seen to be increasing. The difference between the two patient groups was thus explained by epidemiological factors with reference to current data.