Observations on Australia Antigen in Japanese

Abstract

Summary. Frequency of Australia antigen in blood donors of the Tokyo area was estimated nearly 1%. A higher frequency in male donors was observed. The antigen was not an invariable serum antigen in patients who received blood transfusion and in patients with viral hepatitis. The antigen was found often only in the early phase of viral hepatitis. The appearance of Australia antigen did not always accompany clinical nor biochemical hepatitis. The antibodies against Australia antigen were found not only in the recipients of Australia antigen positive but also of Australia antigen negative blood. The nature of the antigen and its significance in blood transfusion were discussed.