Hepatitis B infections after gynaecological surgery.
When acute hepatitis B developed in 3 patients who had had gynaecological surgery, the surgeon was found to be a carrier of hepatitis B e antigen. Of 268 patients operated on by this surgeon in one hospital, 247 were screened for markers of recent or current hepatitis B. 22 (9%) had such markers, associated with symptoms in 5. The operations carrying greatest risk of infection were hysterectomy (10/42) and caesarean section (10/51). These findings strengthen the case for vaccination of all surgeons and medical students against hepatitis B.
Welch
J
J
Department of Virology, United Medical School, (St. Thomas' Campus), London.
Webster
M
M
Tilzey
A J
AJ
Noah
N D
ND
Banatvala
J E
JE
D000208:Acute Disease; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery; D006176:Gynecology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008131:London; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens