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Epidemic hepatitis with delta-antigenaemia among dublin drug-abusers

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Summary

ONE hundred and fifty-eight cases of hepatitis have been detected among Dublin drug-abusers from January to August 1981 during an epidemic which originated in 1980 and still continues. The mean age was 21 years and the male/female susceptibility to hepatitis was the same. An unusually high proportion (29%) of a sample of 50 tested had the hepatitis associated delta antigen in their serum and confirms that the delta agent is probably common in drug addicts and not confined to Italy.

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Shattock, A.G., Kelly, M.G., Fielding, J. et al. Epidemic hepatitis with delta-antigenaemia among dublin drug-abusers. Ir J Med Sci 151, 334–338 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02940218

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