Prevalence of antibody to hepatitis a and polioviruses in an unimmunized urban population

Abstract

A large group of sera collected in 1954-1955 from people living In the metropolitan area of Melbourne, Australia, was tested for neutralizing antibody to polloviruses 1, 2 and 3 and for antibody to hepatitis A virus by solid phase radloimmunoassay. The age-specific prevalence of antibody to each virus was remarkably similar, being highest in the elderly and In persons of low socioeconomic status. Antibody to each virus was acquired early in life, with more than half the population showing evidence of Infection by the age of 15 years. © 1978 by The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.