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Silent Maternal Transmission of Australia Antigen

Nature volume 247, pages 41–43 (1974)Cite this article

Abstract

CHRONIC asymptomatic carriers of Australia antigen (Au, hepatitis B antigen, HBAg, HAA and so on) are found in human populations throughout the world and they constitute an important reservoir for the maintenance of the infectious agent. Here we provide evidence which, in combination with previous data, suggests that an important mechanism for the establishment of these carriers is through the ‘silent’ (that is, without illness) transmission of chronic infections from generation to generation through the maternal line.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute for Cancer Research, Fox Chase Center for Cancer and Medical Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19111

    SCOTT MAZZUR & BARUCH S. BLUMBERG

  2. Department of Anthropology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    JONATHAN S. FRIEDLAENDER

Authors
  1. SCOTT MAZZUR
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  2. BARUCH S. BLUMBERG
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  3. JONATHAN S. FRIEDLAENDER
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MAZZUR, S., BLUMBERG, B. & FRIEDLAENDER, J. Silent Maternal Transmission of Australia Antigen. Nature 247, 41–43 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/247041a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/247041a0

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