AND

I ntroduction A recent pilot survey indicated that there was a high incidence of Australia antigen (Aid) in the serum of African patients with hepatitis in Rho desia (Cruickshank and Swanepoel, 1971). Else where in Southern Africa the antigen was demonstrated in 3,4 per cent, of a random sample of an apparently normal African 'population (Grobbelaar, 1970). An incidence as high as this implies a real risk in circumstances where blood or blood products are handled or administered as in transfusion, renal dialysis, surgical and haema tology units. Consequently a more comprehensive survey was undertaken to determine the general prevalence o