Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers in Damascus, Syria.
OBJECTIVE
Health care workers exposed to accidental inoculation with infected blood represent a high risk group of acquiring hepatitis C virus infection. Hepatitis C virus is considered the most common parenterally transmitted pathogen to which needle-stick recipients are exposed. Therefore, the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among different health care workers was studied.


METHODS
Antibodies of hepatitis C virus were studied by 3rd generation enzyme immunoassay. Hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies to hepatitis B core were carried out using enzyme immunoassays. Liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) and total bilirubin were measured using reagents on chemistry autoanalyzer. The studied group (189 members, aged 28.1+/-6.2 years, 86 males and 103 females) consisted of laboratory workers (65), hemodialysis staff (34), dentistry workers (24), surgery workers (35), and a 5th group contained other medical care workers (31) in Damascus, Syria.


RESULTS
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers was 3%. The positivity of anti-hepatitis C was 0% in the laboratory group, dentistry group, and surgery group. Whereas, it was 6% in the hemodialysis group, and 10% in the other medical workers group. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen was 6% among health care workers in Damascus. Means of biochemical parameters were 23.2+/-15.9 U/L for alanine aminotransferase, 21.8+/-7.8 U/L for aspartate aminotransferase, and 0.58+/-0.35 mg/dl for total bilirubin.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers was higher than the prevalence among the general population (1%) which was determined during our study. However, the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus is lower than the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen among health care workers. There was no significant difference between means of biochemical parameters in each health workers and the general population. Factors related to infrastructure and operational system might be responsible for such prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus among health care workers. An intensive periodic educational program for the medical and paramedical staff is important, in order to minimize the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus among this important high risk group.
Othman
B M
BM
Clinical Laboratory Department, Al-Assad University Hospital, Damascus, Syria.
Monem
F S
FS
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013593:Syria / Q000453:epidemiology
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies