The immune response to hepatitis B surface antigen (RB s Ag) was studied in 25 asymptomatic carriers by the leukocyte migration-inhibition (LMI) test in agarose. In the presence of purified RB s Ag, inhibition was demonstrated in only four of 25 carriers, in contrast to 24 of 28 patients who cleared the antigen after acute infection with hepatitis B. Tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) was also used as an antigen for the LMI test in these carriers. Inhibition was demonstrated in only 12 of 25 individuals who had positive PPD skin tests, in contrast to all of 14 normal noncarrier individuals with positive PPD skin tests and none of 12 normal noncarrier individuals with negative PPD skin tests. A nonspecific immunological investigation of the asymptomatic carriers gave normal results. The lack of an immune response to HB s Ag was thought to be responsible for the persistence of the antigen and also for the absence of symptoms.About 0.2<;'0 of the blood donors in this part of Europe are carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HB s Ag). Some of these asymptomatic carriers have slightly elevated levels of transaminases, whereas others do not exhibit any biochemical sign of hepatic cytolysis but have slight histological abnormalities of the liver. A third group of these carriers are normal, both biochemically and histologically [1][2][3].Since HB s Ag is usually associated with acute hepatitis and disappears at the time of recovery, it is difficult to explain how the antigen can persist in the third (normal) group of carriers without damaging the liver. The fact that HB s Ag can persist in two conditions as different as the healthy carrier state and chronic hepatitis is also problematical.

Blood collected in ACD was supplemented with PIGP solution or PIGPA solution. The presence of adenine enhanced the mechanical resistance to trauma of erythrocytes. The levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and adenosine triphosphate were restored to a normal to subnormal level. The PIGPA media seemed satisfactory for rejuvenation of stored blood for freezing purposes.

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