Abstract
Twenty-five hepatitis B antigen positive individuals, found from the survey study on 1, 984 rural populations, were followed.On repeated examinations, 16 consistently carried the antigen, 7 changed to negative. The remaining one was the wife of a carrier and changed to show antibody.
Transaminases were within normal limits in all cases.
Hepatitis B virus is spreading unrecognisedly in general population and overt hepatitis is rather of exceptional case.
The mechanism by which liver cirrhosis developes on carriers is the question open to future.
