The Incidence of Australia Antigen and Antibody in Male Prisoners of Two Sydney Penitentiaries

A survey has been made of the incidence of Australia antigen and antibody in serum samples obtained from male prisoners in two Sydney penitentiaries during March and April, 1972. Each serum sample was tested by counterimmunoelectro- phoresis and by passive hæmagglutination methods; the incidence of Australia antigen in the two penitentiaries was 1–44% and 1–14% and of Australia antibody 3–52% and 2–28%, respectively. Serum transaminase level estimations indicated that seven prisoners with Australia antigen and one prisoner with Australia antibody were suffering from hepatitis.