Immunogenetic factors in thalassemia and hepatitis B infection. a multicentre study
Schanfield, M.S.; Scalise, G.; Economidou, I.; Modell, C.B.; Bate, C.; Zuckerman, A.J.
Developments in Biological Standardization 30: 257-269
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-5149 PMID: 1204962 Document Number: 92241
Geographical variations in the prevalence of hepatitis B infection were found in association with an increased opportunity of exposure to this virus in patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia in Cyprus, Greece, Sardinia and the United Kingdom. No association was found between the Gm phenotype of the individuals investigated and susceptibility to hepatitis B virus using HBsAg as a marker, or the ability to make antibody to it. Variation in the distribution of Gm haplotypes does not appear to be a feasible explanation for variation in anti-HBs and HBsAg frequencies in a series of highly transfused populations.