We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
Sekisui Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




High Rates of Hepatitis B Infection Found in Aboriginals

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 06 Oct 2014
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who have high rates of infection compared with non-Indigenous Australians.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience a rate of liver cancer up to 10 times that of the non-indigenous population with an overall two-to-threefold increase in the rate of HBV-related liver cancer expected by 2017.

Scientists at the University of New South Wales (Sydney, Australia) implemented a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of clinical encounter data contained within the medical records of patients attending Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHS). More...
Records of patient visits were included if they related to a clinical visit of a person aged from 15 to 54 years from January 8, 2009, to July 11, 2013.

Serology results were examined for patients with concurrent testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg), and hepatitis B surface antibody (HbsAb) and hepatitis B core antibody (HbcAb). A total of 2,959 people aged 15 to 54 years were screened for HBV, representing 17.2% of all people with a clinical visit in the study period. A total of 865 Aboriginal patients were tested concurrently for HbsAg, HbsAb, and HbcAb. Of those, 352 (40.7%) were susceptible to HBV infection and 34 (3.9%) had either an acute or chronic infection indicated by a positive HBsAg result In 329 women with antenatal screening, 6 (1.8%) returned a positive HBsAg result.

The authors concluded that a substantial proportion of patients tested were susceptible to HBV, with a high percentage potentially infectious compared with the general population. High levels of active infection and susceptibility to infection suggest many opportunities for transmission and indicate the potential benefit of routine HBV testing and vaccination in this population. The study was published on September 15, 2014, in the Medical Journal of Australia.

University of New South Wales



Platinum Member
Automated Coagulation Analyzer
Hemolumi H6
New
Gold Member
Serum Indices Control
Acusera Serum Indices Control
Urine Analyzer
respons® UDS100
Gold Member
Fully-auto Specific Protein (Nephelometry) Analyzer
PA240
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image Credit: 123RF

Screening After Pneumococcal Disease May Reveal Undiagnosed Blood Cancer or Immune Disorders

Severe pneumococcal disease requiring hospitalization often presents as pneumonia, particularly in older adults and people with cancer or compromised immune function. Because M protein testing and antibody... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The laser-based photoacoustic spectroscopy setup consists of a Mid-IR laser equipped with three QCL modules covering wavelengths from 5.6 μm to 12.9 μm, two silver coated mirrors (SCM), a dichroic mirror (DM) with a transmittance of 90%, a thermal power sensor head (PM) to monitor the output laser power, a mechanical chopper (MC) for frequency modulation and a CEPAS-detector with a self-designed swab holder (SH). (Credit: Graunke, T., Scholz, T., Pieniak, M. et al. Scientific Reports (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-68298-9)

Laser-Based Swab Analysis Shows Promise for Detecting Disease-Linked Odor Patterns

Disease-related changes in volatile organic compounds can alter body odor, producing measurable patterns in exhaled breath and bodily fluids. Current analytical methods can be complex, time-consuming,... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image

Collaboration Combines AI Cognitive Assessment and RNA Blood Testing for Earlier Alzheimer’s Detection

Alzheimer’s disease is often identified only after substantial neurodegeneration, partly because current diagnostic pathways are fragmented and difficult to scale. As treatment shifts toward earlier intervention,... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2026 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.