The antigen of hepatitis B was repeatedly examined in 1356 adults patients with acute viral hepatitis. In 701 patients the HBAg was positive at the beginning of illness and in 657 was negative. The maximum of the negative HBAg results could be found in the lower age groups, whereas the maximum of the positive HBAg results was shifted to the 5th and 6th decade. In HBAg positive cases of hepatitis more numerous anicteric and asymptomatic forms could be observed on the other hand, however, at the same time also o more cholestatic forms and subacute necrotizing and malignant forms appeared. The HBAg positive hepatitis had on average also a more serious form and course. From the epidemiological point of view the admission to the hospital, which preceded in 51% of patients appeared as the most important factor. In 16.3% of patients the HBAg postivity persisted still 6 months after the discharge from the hospital.

Keywords: Acute Disease; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Antibody Formation; Female; Hepatitis A /microbiology/; Hepatitis B /microbiology/; Hepatitis B Antigens /isolation & purification/; Humans; Immunodiffusion; Male; Middle Aged