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Australian antigen
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Australian antigen

medicine
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Quick Summary

The Australian antigen, also known as the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), is a protein found on the surface of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Its discovery in 1963 by Baruch S. Blumberg was a pivotal moment in medicine. Blumberg observed this antigen in the blood of an Australian Aboriginal person, leading to the understanding that it was part of a virus causing hepatitis B, a severe form of liver inflammation.1

This discovery had significant implications:
* It enabled the screening of blood donors to prevent the transmission of hepatitis B through transfusions.2
* The development of an antibody response to the Australian antigen indicated protection against further infection.1
* Ultimately, it led to the creation of a successful vaccine against hepatitis B, for which Blumberg shared the 1976 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. Baruch S. Blumberg
  2. Harvey J. Alter

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