الفهرس 
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Abstract
Carriers of hepatitis B virus represent a great health prp Hem endangering the whole community. In the prasent study I {1n Jttempt was made to assess the carrier status in rural dwellers. A total of 150 blood samples were collected ;95 from Abbis 6 rillage (Behira Governorate) and 55 from El-Karadwa village (Kafr !i-Sheikh Governorate) .All samples were tested for: .Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by enzyme immunoassay (EtA) . blood grouping, .alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. Forty samples were tested for HBsAg by reverse passive ~aemagglutination (RPHA) and 38 samples were tested for alpha fetoprotein (AFP) by EIA, both groups of samples included those) _positive for HBsAg by ElA. Fifteen persons were reactive for HBsAg by EtA representing !Carrier rate of 10. The carrier rates in both Abbis (6) and EI-Karadwa villages were just comparable. The carrier rates were higher in those with history of jaundice in their household contacts and those with ALT ~ 29 D./l., the differences were statistically si g n i f i cant. The car r i err ate s we r e hi g her in ”Hd ea, In those below 20 years, in those with history of jaundice and 8n those with blood group (A) but the differences were not stat istically significant. Out of the fifteen positive samples by EIA. only 2 proved RPHA. these were the two specimens with HBsAg > 20oS/ml. !:Ie remaining 13 samples had HBsAg < 20ng/ml. AFP was within normal values in both carriers and non tarrier s . In conclusion. hepatitis B is a disease that deserves much Ittention because of its perpetuating non-stopping health hazards !ndangering the whole population. and not only carriers. Preventive rather than therapeutic measures are the only availC\ble and eff ective in limi ting the disease extension.