Type B Hepatitis Antigen and Antibody among Prostitutes and Nuns: A Study of Possible Venereal Transmission

Abstract

Sera from 509 persons of Cali, Colombia were examined for hepatitis type B antigen (HB Ag) and antibody to the antigen (HB Ab). These persons represented four study groups: prostitutes, nuns, persons associated with institutions, and a control group of persons from the population whose age and socioeconomic status were comparable to those of the prostitutes. HB Ag was detected in 5% of the prostitutes, 9% of the control group, 18% of the nuns, and 10% of the residents of institutions. HB Ab was detected in 20% of the prostitutes, 12% of the control population group, 16% of the nuns, and 23% of the residents of institutions. In contrast to the high frequency of infection for herpesvirus type 2 among the prostitutes and the virtual absence of antibodies to herpesvirus type 2 among the nuns, no significant differences between the groups were observed for type B hepatitis infections. The data indicate that in Cali, venereal transmission is not a major mode of spread of type B hepatitis.