Viral Hepatitis, Type B (MS-2-Strain)

Abstract

Further observations of the natural history and prevention of viral hepatitis Type B revealed that all 25 unimmunized susceptible children who had a parenteral exposure to MS-2 serum had evidence of hepatitis B infection; 25 had hepatitis B antigen, and 24 had an abnormal SGOT. Of 15 children who received standard immune serum globulin after a parenteral exposure to MS-2 serum, 13 had detectable hepatitis B antigen, and 12 had an abnormal SGOT. Of 10 children who received hepatitis B immune serum globulin after a parenteral exposure to MS-2 serum, four had detectable hepatitis B antigen and abnormal SGOT; of 29 children who received one to three inoculations of heat-inactivated MS-2 serum before a parenteral exposure to unheated MS-2 serum, 12 had detectable hepatitis B antigen and abnormal SGOT. The use of these active and passive immunizing procedures was associated with a protective effect, a more attenuated hepatitis B infection, and a decreased chronic carrier rate of hepatitis B antigen.