Clinical, serological and molecular characteristics of 471 hepatitis B virus carriers.

A total of 471 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) blood donors identified as hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers were examined a few months after blood donation. When compared to the general population of IDF blood donors the HBV carriers were older, belonged to certain ethnic groups and were predominantly males. Physical examination revealed minimal findings: 1 (0.3%) had splenomegaly and 5 (1.6%) had hepatomegaly. Fifty-two individuals (11.1%) had elevated liver enzymes. E antigen was present in 3.2% of HBV carriers, 94% had anti-e antibodies and 1.9% had anti-delta antibodies. Of 258 carriers tested for HBV DNA, 29 (11.2%) were positive. Abnormal liver enzymes were significantly associated with the presence of e antigen as well as with the presence of HBV DNA.