Hepatitis type A and hemodialysis: a seroepidemiologic study in 15 U.S. centers.
Four hundred sixty patients and staff from 15 U.S. dialysis centers were surveyed by the immune adherence hemagglutination technique for antibody to hepatitis A antigen (anti-HA). The age-standardized anti-HA prevalence was 42.9% in patients and 42.1% in staff. These rates are almost identical to those of socioeconomically comparable urban volunteer blood donors never exposed to dialysis settings. There was no correlation between anti-HA prevalences and duration of dialysis treatment or employment. Among 100 patients and staff followed for 1 year 92% to 94% did not change their anti-HA status. The prevalence of anti-HA was identical in subjects with past histories of multiple blood transfusions or accidental inoculations with blood-contaminated instruments and in those without such histories. We conclude that hepatitis A virus rarely if every spreads by parenteral mechanisms, that there is no epidemiologic evidence confirming the existence of chronic hepatitis A viremic carrier states, and that hemodialysis does not play a significant role in the spread of type A hepatitis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014481:United States
D000914:Antibodies, Viral