One-thousand, thirty-eight individuals from Plati, Greece were examined for the following red cell antigens, serum proteins, and red cell enzymes A A1 Ai B H; MNSs Mg Henshaw Nya Mur Vw; CCwcDEeCe; K k Kpa Kpb Jsa Jsb; P1; Lua; Fy1 Fy2; Jka Jkb; Wra; Zt; Vel; Swa; Jensen, Radin, Gerbich, Diego, Gregory, Haptoglobin, Transferrin, Acid phosphatase, Adenylate kinase, Adenosine deaminase, Esterase-D, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, Phosphoglucomutase, 6-Phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, Phosphohexose isomerase, Lactate dehydrogenase, Malate dehydrogenase, and Superoxide dismutase. The results are discussed in detail and compared with other Greek and neighbouring populations. Because of the Plati population's long history of residence in the Cappadocian area of Turkey the data have been compared, whenever possible, with results for that region.

The relation of the HBsAg carrier state with fertility parameters and the sex ratio of offspring was studied in 1129 married women in 12 villages from different areas in Greece, in whom blood samples were tested for HBsAg. The results were compared between the group of HBsAg asymptomatic carriers and the HBsAg-negative group. An increase of the sex ratio was found in the group of HBsAg carriers. Furthermore, a decrease in the live births and a reduction in the number of female children were observed. It is concluded that a fertility disturbance in the HBsAg-positive group is probably responsible for the alteration of the sex ratio. An immunological mechanism may be the cause of the fertility disturbance found in the HBsAg carriers.

A study of SGPT levels in individuals with and without (HBsAG) was conducted in the village of Plati, Greece. The levels were higher in those with HBsAG than without (p equals .007). The levels were higher in males than in females. From this and other studies it is concluded that at least some asymptomatic carriers had mild but detectable liver damage.

There is a striking difference in the response of individuals to infection with HBV. Some individuals develop hepatitis, others form antibody which may persist for a long period, and others may become persistent carriers of Australia antigen. These responses may give some indication of the immune status of an individual and of populations relative to this agent. As such, it could provide a guide to the use of vaccines against hepatitis in areas of common occurrence of the disease. We have completed a survey of a community in northern Greece for the three factors. A very large percentage of the population have evidence of exposure and this varies with age and sex. Many responded by forming high titers of antibody but a considerable percentage developed hepatitis and/or became carriers. Some appeared to have complex. Most developed antibody against the prevalent antigenic type (ay) but in many cases antibody against the rare antigenic type (ad) appears to have been formed. Host characteristics appear to have influenced the nature of the response to the infection. The effects of vaccines on carriers is not known and conceivably could be detrimental (i.e. by formation of complexes). It would be important to learn more of the biology of Au in populations and individuals in connection with the widespread use of vaccines.