Hepatitis B viral infection in South west Saudi Arabia To the Editor n a recent issue of Saudi Medical Journal Ayoola et

al1 reported a decline in the prevalence rates for hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) among Saudis domiciled in the Gizan Region of Saudi Arabia. Certainly, health care authorities would ensure an uninterrupted immunization with HBV vaccines in early infancy and ensure further reduction in the quantum of blood donors being positive for at least one HBV marker. A comprehensive analysis of apparently healthy Saudi volunteers with 3 serological markers revealed 33 Saudis exclusively positive for antibodies to HBV core antigen (anti-HBc). Aliquots from such patients, if available, should be tested for any low-level carriage of HBV. They might have been infected with the virus a long time ago, but with no development of antibodie