A comparison of HIV-1, HBV, and HTLV-I/II seroprevalence rates of injured patients admitted through California emergency departments.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the seroprevalence rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I/II) and to compare these rates with the HIV-1 seroprevalence rate in a sample of injured patients admitted through ten California emergency departments.


METHODS
Prospective blinded testing for serologic markers for HBV, HTLV-I/II, and HIV-1 on routinely collected blood samples.


METHODS
Ten California hospitals were chosen to reflect geographic and demographic diversity.


METHODS
All injured adult patients who were admitted to a participating hospital through the ED during consecutive three-month periods from June through November 1989.


METHODS
Serum samples were tested for HIV-1 antibody, HTLV-I/II antibody, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using standard methods. Mann-Whitney U tests, chi 2 tests for independence, sign tests, chi 2 tests for goodness of fit, and logistic regression were used as appropriate.


RESULTS
Seroprevalence rates were as follows: HBV, 2.6% (57 of 2,209); HTLV-I/II, 2.0% (46 of 2,262); and HIV-1, 1.4% (31 of 2,264).


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence rate of HBV was slightly higher than that of HIV-1 in this sample of injured patients. Mortality estimates suggest, however, that HBV and HIV-1 pose roughly similar risks to emergency personnel, although the risk of HBV infection can be markedly reduced by vaccination. The data from this and other studies suggest that the ED incidence of HTLV-I/II in United States is low. The relative health risks to emergency personnel from HTLV-I/II appear to be minimal at this time.
Rhee
K J
KJ
Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis.
Albertson
T E
TE
Kizer
K W
KW
Burns
M J
MJ
Hughes
M J
MJ
Ascher
M S
MS
D002140:California; D004630:Emergencies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000097:blood*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens