[The results of serological research to determine hepatitis A and B markers in the blood sera of the population of the Republic of Guinea].

The results of examinations of sera from apparently normal urban and rural residents of the Guinea Republic (GR) for markers of viral hepatitis A (anti-HAV) and B (HBsAg) are presented. The number of HBsAg-positive subjects was 16 +/- 1% (1199 serum specimens were examined by direct enzyme immunoassay, EIA, and HI test), the rate of HBsAg findings in sera from children (less than 16 years) and adults (greater than or equal to 16) did not differ significantly (p less than 0.05). The rate of a HBsAg carrier state did not depend on sex and residence of the subjects under study (p less than 0.05). The detection rate of total (IgM + IgG) anti-HAV antibody was 67 +/- 2% (812 serum specimens were examined by a variant of EIA block). The detection rate and titres of anti-HAV in children were higher than in adults, and in urban residents higher than in rural subjects (p less than 0.05). The results of detection of HBsAg and total anti-HAV antibody in the sera of GR residents are close to those obtained in examinations of sera from the populations of countries bordering GR in Western Africa (Senegal, Mali, Liberia) and are typical of Africa as a whole.