title: Serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C in first year student nurses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To know the prevalence of serological markers of hepatitis A, B and C virus in first year student nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A transversal study of prevalence.
  
  
  METHODS
  81 first year student nurses, mean age 20.6 years (18-37, S.D. 3.8), with demographic, epidemiologic and clinical variables, performing liver enzymes, anti-HAV IgG, anti-HBcore and anti-HCV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The anti-HAV IgG was positive in 9 students (11.1%), with a prevalence of 6.7% between 17 and 19 years (C.I.95% 1.7 to 19.3%), 8.7% between 20 and 22 years (C.I.95% 1.5 to 29.5%), 20% between 23 and 25 years (C.I.95% 10.5 to 70.1%), and 37.5% (C.I.95% 10.2 to 74.1) in those over 25 years (p < 0.001). No other significative variables existed according to age-group. Regarding hepatitis B virus, of the 65 not previously vaccinated, only 1 (1.5%, C.I.95% 0.08 to 9.4%) was immunized, and there were no cases of HBsAg positive. The anti-VHC was positive in one case (1.2%, C.I.95% 0.06 to 7.6%), RIBA indeterminate and with normal ALT. Only one student (1.2%) showed increased transaminase values, attributed to liver steatosis. None of the students had suffered any episode of acute clinic hepatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The anti-HAV IgG prevalence in first year student nurses in our area is very low, and it is not necessary to carry out prevacunal screening. The low prevalence of anti-Hbcore also rejects a similar screening with respect to HBV. There were no HBsAg or anti-HCV positive cases, but it should not be the cause of forgetting to take the universal precautions or giving a false sensation of security.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestive Diseases, Cabueñes Hospital, Gijón, Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suárez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Viejo
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Navascués
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Otero
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saro
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Román
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D015995:Prevalence; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013338:Students, Nursing
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers