SummaryA prospective study of hepatitis that began in 1968 and continues to include more than half the dialysis units in the United Kingdom shows that type B infection has been completely controlled in such units since the last outbreak ended in 1973. Though occasionally a single patient has developed hepatitis B surface antigenaemia in the course of dialysis or after transplantation, the infection has not spread to other patients or staff in the survey units.A detailed analysis of the results in 1974–75 shows clustering of patients with raised aminotransferase levels in about one-fifth of the units but, unlike past outbreaks of hepatitis B, these clusters are not accompanied by clinical hepatitis among staff. The possibility that some of the clusters are caused by hepatitis viruses other than type A or B is discussed. It is concluded that, when reliable tests for type non-A non-B infections become available, the continued existence of the survey will allow prompt assessment of any viral hepatitis problems that may still exist in UK units.
SummaryA retrospective survey of transfusion hepatitis associated with a brand of commercial Factor VIII was carried out in 24 Haemophilia Centres from January 1974 until December 1975. Of 371 patients who were transfused with this product, and were followed up, 78 cases of hepatitis affecting 66 patients were found (17·7%). Two types of hepatitis were observed: hepatitis B and non-B hepatitis, the latter with an incubation period of between 8 and 60 days. Twelve patients contracted two types of hepatitis, non-B followed by hepatitis B. Only one patient died after contracting hepatitis B. Four of the suspect batches of concentrate were found to be positive for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay.There was evidence that the presence of hepatitis B surface antibody in a patient's serum prior to exposure was associated with immunity to hepatitis B. Evidence was presented suggesting that the non-B hepatitis observed was not due to hepatitis A. The factors affecting the incidence of transfusion hepatitis in haemophiliacs were discussed.
Hepatitis B in a West Indian population in the United Kingdom
