Chronic hepatitis B antigenaemia in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.

Thirty-five male patients with decompensated hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were longitudinally studied and divided into 3 Groups; with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or antibody (anti-HBs) and a control group negative to both. Patients with HBsAg were persistently carrying the antigen as estimated by radioimmunoassay (RIA) for up to 3 years and when compared with the other 2 groups, they had significantly higher serum glutamic transaminases, their liver biopsy showed more destructive liver cell lesions in the form of chronic active hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, they were refractory to diuretic treatment and had higher mortality rate (64% in 3 years compared to 22% and 33% in the other 2 groups). The majority of patients with dual infection are at greater risk in spreading hepatitis B as they proved to carry the 'e' antigen.