Hepatitis B and hemodialysis: the impact of universal precautions in preventing the transmission of bloodborne viruses.
A detailed description is presented of the hemodialysis treatment for 6 weeks of a patient strongly positive for hepatitis B virus ([HBV], hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B e antigen, HBV DNA), which was performed without any special precautions. All 59 patients potentially exposed to the HBV-positive patient, of whom 29 appeared fully unprotected by antibody, were followed for at least 9 months but remained negative. This illustrates the feasibility of following Universal Precautions instead of using exceptional procedures for one single agent.
Kroes
A C
AC
Department of Virology, University Hospital Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. kroes@virology.azl.nl
van Bommel
E F
EF
Kluytmans
J A
JA
Weimar
W
W
D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016635:Universal Precautions