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Hepatitis-associated antigen, cirrhosis and hepatoma in Rhodesia
Abstract
Since the discovery of hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) in 1963 its relationship to chronic liver disease has been quite extensively researched. Cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma are commonly diagnosed in the Rhodesian Black and the association between HAA and these two liver diseases was investigated. HAA was detected in 6,6% of cases of cirrhosis but was not associated with any case of hepatoma. This finding, in Rhodesian Blacks, where HAA is detected in the sera of 2,5 - 3,6% of the normal. population, is of considerable significance, implying that HAA (and the serum hepatitis virus) is of little or no aetiological importance.
S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1423 (1974).
S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 1423 (1974).