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. 1971 Dec;69(4):565–570. doi: 10.1017/s0022172400021835

The Australia (hepatitis-associated) antigen amongst heroin addicts attending a London addiction clinic

J Hunter, M Carrella, R Williams, Patricia E Taylor, A J Zuckerman
PMCID: PMC2131046  PMID: 5002643

Abstract

Thirty-three of 72 heroin addicts attending a recognized clinic for drug addition had a history of jaundice, but in only five was the serum positive for hepatitis-associated antigen (HAA) when examined by immunodiffusion, immunoelectro-osmophoresis and complement fixation. Two of these were repeatedly positive over an 8-12 month follow-up period and liver biopsy showed chronic persistent hepatitis. A third later developed acute hepatitis. A study of the injection habits suggested that the present low incidence of HAA and the decrease in number of cases with jaundice was probably related to the provision of free disposable syringes by the clinic since it was opened in 1968.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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