INFECTIOUSNESS OF HBSAG-CARRIERS IN MALAYSIA

HBV-DNA were analysed in 330 HBsAg-positive carriers in Malaysia by do t-blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction. Seventy-three (22. 12%) were positive for the virus. Of these, 65 (89%) were males and 8 (11%) were females. Statistically, there was no significant difference (P=0.13). No significant decline in HBV-DNA with age in the Malay and Chinese males was observed (P=0.2). Prevalence of HBV-DNA was higher in the Chinese carriers than in the Malay carriers for most age groups in both sexes. Sixty-one HBV-DNA-positive carriers were also positive for HBeAg. However, three individuals were positive only for anti-HBe , one was positive for both HBeAg and anti-HBe, and eight were negativ e for both HBeAg and anti-HBe. Fifty-seven were positive for HBeAg but negative for HBV-DNA. No relation was observed between raised alanine aminotransaminase and aspartate aminotransaminase levels and the pres ence of HBV-DNA (P=0.4).