Hepatitis B antigen in joint irrigation fluid. A hazard for hospital personnel.
We report the case of a carrier of the hepatitis B virus who required arthroscopy of the knee. The irrigation fluid was shown to contain the virus. In view of the highly infective nature of this virus, appropriate precautions are necessary when carrying out arthroscopy in such patients.
D000328:Adult; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission; D005122:Exudates and Transudates / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000276:immunology*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012306:Risk; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies