Australian antigen and Hepatitis B

People who are interested in medicine for various reasons often have a question: the Australian antigen - what is it? To date, the so-called surface antigen, of which the envelope of the hepatitis B virus is composed, was first described. The antigen was first described in 1963, but then the name did not refer to the envelope, but to the virus as a whole.

The Australian antigen consists of a multitude of antigenic particles that are divided into a large number of groups, named in the scientific circles in Latin letters from a to q. It is the presence of these particles and their interaction among themselves that form the type of hepatitis.

Today, eight types of hepatitis are known, the causative agent of which is the Australian antigen. These 8 of its varieties are found constantly. But there are five more, the initiation of which happens rarely.

A characteristic feature of the Australian antigen is the territorial distribution of its species.

So, in Africa, Southern Europe, the Middle East, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the Baltics, Moldova, HBsAg / ay is more common. This is the so-called territory of U, where the causative agent of hepatitis is the y-type antigen.

The north of Europe and Africa, New Guinea, America are considered territory D, because the Australian antigen HBsAg / adw is distributed there.

On site R, in Southwest Asia and the Far East, a species of HBsAg / adr is recorded, and in Oceania all types of antigen are found.

It is curious that the antigen variety does not affect the symptoms inherent in hepatitis B.

The Australian antigen is a very dangerous formation, because it freely tolerates repeated freezing, heating to a temperature of 70 ° C. In addition, it is not destroyed by modern disinfectants.

Australian antigen can not be transmitted by household means. It is transferred by transfusion of blood products from a sick person to a healthy person or through intravenous injections carried out by infected needles. Dental patients are at risk.

In addition, because with hepatitis B, the concentration of the virus in the blood is very high, it can get on some hygiene items, even from a tiny wound. Therefore, using other people's toothbrushes, manicure scissors, razors, etc. Can lead to infection.

In a third of all infections, the Australian antigen can be acquired with promiscuous unprotected sex. Therefore, the risk of getting infected with hepatitis B is, first of all, exposed individuals, leading a loose life, drug addicts, prostitutes, etc.

A mother who is infected with the hepatitis B virus or who is his carrier can in utero transmit it to the child.

There is another no less terrible antigen, which is called prostate specific antigen free or PSA. It is a protein that is localized in the tissue of the prostate gland. Its excess concentration can lead to very serious consequences, therefore it is recommended that men, especially after 50 years, regularly take tests for the presence of prostate-specific free antigen.

If its concentration exceeds 20%, this may be a sign of benign neoplasm: prostatitis, prostate infarction, benign hyperplasia, and the like. Less than 15% indicates the presence of malignant formation. These include prostate cancer, breast cancer, intestinal cancer, carcinoma. The remaining parameters are borderline, and the patient requires special supervision of specialists.

Since the protein is directly associated with prostate tissue, in women it is extremely rare.

For the diagnosis of PSA blood tests, digital rectal examinations, colonoscopy, etc. are prescribed.

If suspected of a disease, a biopsy of the prostate or multiple studies on cancer markers can be recommended. It is very important, first, to conduct multiple definitions of oncomarkers, because In a single analysis, they may not be determined. Secondly, a week before such studies completely exclude any irritation, including biopsies, rectal examinations and the like.