Frequency of Australia Antigen Detected by Radioimmunoassay in Hepatitis in Children

Abstract

Ninety-eight serum specimens obtained from 53 cases of hepatitis in children and 11 specimens from 10 cases of biliary atresia were tested for Australia (Au) antigen by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Au antigen was detected in 3 out of 10 cases of post-transfusion hepatitis (30%), in 14 out of 18 cases of viral hepatitis (78%) without known parenteral exposure to blood or blood products and in 2 out of 2 cases of chornic hepatitis (100%). In contrast to them, antigen was detected in none of 23 cases of neonatal hepatitis and 10 cases of biliary atresia.