Contact tracing in hepatitis B infection.

In an epidemiological study of patients diagnosed as having hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during a 12 month period in a London health district, 98 (67%) of 144 index cases and 146 (67%) of 218 of their named contacts were interviewed. The problems and benefits of using conventional contact tracing techniques in the management of this infection are discussed. Named contacts in stable relationships were more easily traced than young homosexuals with frequent anonymous contacts, and drug addicts.