title: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in hospitalized Danish patients.
abstract: Health care workers are at risk of acquiring blood-borne infections. To assess the risk of exposure to hepatitis B or C in the case of occupational blood exposure, we determined the seroprevalence of these infections in 466 patients admitted to a Copenhagen university hospital. Serological markers for hepatitis B or C were detected in 56 patients (12.0%). The seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV was 0.9% and 1.5% respectively. HCV RNA, indicating ongoing hepatitis C, was found in five of seven anti-HCV-positive patients by polymerase chain reaction. The serological findings had not previously been diagnosed in 4 of 10 potentially infectious patients and only 6 of 10 patients belonged to high-risk groups. In conclusion, health care workers should be aware of the potential the occupational risk of hepatitis B and C even in a low-prevalence country like Denmark. Management of health care workers after blood exposure should include serological testing for both hepatitis B and C. Strict adherence to universal precautions is recommended and vaccination against hepatitis B should be encouraged.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nelsing
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wantzin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skøt
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krarup
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Krarup
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006760:Hospitalization; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral