Abstract: 78 cases of asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were identified among 1668 cases of postmorem liver specimens by using immunohistochemical staining technique. The incidence was 4.7%,with the 8～12 years and the 20～29 years groups showing the highest positive rate.In 97 cases tested for serum HBsAg before death,16 cases showed HBsAg positive both in serum and in liver,2 cases were positive in liver but negative in serum,1 case was positive only in serum. Histopathological examination of 78 HBsAg carriers revealed that normal liver and NSRH were present in 84.6% of the carries,CPH was present in 7.7%, CAHwas present in 2.6%,the early stage of cirrhosis was present in 5.1%. The results also indicated that the incidence of HBcAg was significantly higher in children carriers than that in those who were elder than twelve (P<0.025).

Key words: HBsA gcarriers, liver tissue, HBcAg