Hepatitis B-Surface Antigen In Ascitic Fluid Of Patients With Chronic Liver Disease

A prospective evaluation of eleven consecutive cases of chronic liver disease over a twelve-month period was carried out clinically and ultrasonographically. By the use of the method of reverse passive haemagglutination, sera and ascitic fluid of the patients were tested for the presence of the Hepatitis B surface antigen. Four of the cases (three of liver cirrhosis and one hepatocellular carcinoma) had the hepatitis B surface antigen present in their sera, two of whom (one each of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma) had the HBsAg present in their ascitic fluid also. The presence of the HbsAntigen in their ascitic fluid increases the risk of transmission of hepatitis B infection by the ascitic fluid, thus adequate precaution should be taken when handing ascitic fluids of patients with chronic liver disease. KEY WORDS: Chronic liver disease, HBs Antigen, Ascitic fluid. Jnl of Med Investigation & Practice Vol.3 2001: 5-