Serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in alcoholics and hospital controls

WE compared the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis B virus infection, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb), in 98 alcoholics and 110 medical patients. HBsAg was not detected in either group. HBcAB was present in the serum of 7/98 alcoholics and in 5/110 medical patients (p=n.s.). This study suggests that when alcoholics are compared with a similar population receiving medical care for other reasons there is a similar prevalence of serological markers indicating previous exposure to hepatitis B virus.