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The Australia (hepatitis-associated) antigen amongst heroin addicts attending a London addiction clinic

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

J. Hunter ,
M. Carrella ,
R. Williams ,
Patricia E. Taylor  and
A. J. Zuckerman
J. Hunter
Affiliation:
Liver Unit, King's College Hospital, London, S.E. 5
M. Carrella
Affiliation:
Liver Unit, King's College Hospital, London, S.E. 5
R. Williams
Affiliation:
Liver Unit, King's College Hospital, London, S.E. 5
Patricia E. Taylor
Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, W.C. 1
A. J. Zuckerman
Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, W.C. 1
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Summary

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Thirty-three of 72 heroin addicts attending a recognized clinic for drug addition had a history of jaundice, but in only five was the serum positive for hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) when examined by immunodiffusion, immunoelectro-osmophoresis and complement fixation. Two of these were repeatedly positive over an 8–12 month follow-up period and liver biopsy showed chronic persistent hepatitis. A third later developed acute hepatitis. A study of the injection habits suggested that the present low incidence of HAA and the decrease in number of cases with jaundice was probably related to the provision of free disposable syringes by the clinic since it was opened in 1968.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 69 , Issue 4 , December 1971 , pp. 565 - 570
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1971

References

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