title: Effect of multiple use of dialyzers on hepatitis B incidence in patients and staff.
abstract: Data pertaining to incidence of hepatitis B from a 1976 Center for Disease Control Study were matched with responses from a Renal Physicians Association survey on dialyzer reuse in the United States. Of 6,079 patients, 166 (2.7%) became positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in 96 centers practicing reuse, whereas 495 (2.6%) of 18,947 became HBsAg positive in 439 centers practicing single use. Among staff, 75 (2.5%) of 3,049 became positive for HBsAg in centers practicing reuse vs 200 (2.3%) of 8,696 in centers not reusing dialyzers. Incidence of infection among staff associated with a center having at least one HBsAg-positive patient was 2.9% in centers practicing reuse vs 3.6% in centers practicing single use. Nearly all (95%) staff who became HBsAg positive were associated with centers having at least one HBsAg-positive patient. The practice of reusing dialyzers does not appear to be associated with increased risk of hepatitis B infection among patients and staff.
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007688:Kidneys, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D012306:Risk; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens