AUSTRALIA ANTIGEN IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA

A study of Australia (Au) antigen in 3,548 Papua New Guinea blood donors revealed a high incidence (7.5%) of Au‐positive carriers in the indigenous population. The difference between the incidence in highland and coastal populations was not significant. A significantly higher incidence of Au‐positive carriers was found in the island populations. Amongst 1,028 Europeans who had been living in the country for several years, the incidence of Au antigen was only slightly higher than that found in Australian populations. The incidence of Au antigen was not elevated in leprosy patients. In 5 of 13 patients with histologically diagnosed hepatoma, Au antigen could be demonstrated. The implications of these findings are discussed.