title: The prevalence of hepatitis B viral markers in Bloemfontein anaesthetists.
abstract: A study was undertaken to determine whether the 48 anaesthetists in Bloemfontein have a higher rate of exposure to hepatitis B virus than comparable groups and whether active immunisation with hepatitis B surface antigen is necessary. Hepatitis B markers were detected by radio-immunoassay and the results analysed statistically. Hepatitis B markers were found in the sera of 36.17% of the anaesthetists and they had an 8-9 times greater prevalence of markers than employees of the local hospitals. Hence anaesthetists run a larger risk of contracting hepatitis B and its complications. It is recommended that non-immune anaesthetists be immunised.
mesh_terms: D000776:Anesthesiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens