Detection of hepatitis B virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Korean dental patients.
This study examined the detection rate of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in serum and saliva samples, respectively, from 120 dental patients who were unaware if they have or had either hepatitis or tuberculosis. The frequencies of HBsAg and anti-HBs were determined using an immunochromatic assay. Mtb positivity was determined by the PCR method. Of the 120 patients, 7 (5.8%) were HBV positive and 30 (25.0%) were Mtb positive. This highlights the fact that dental health care workers (DHCWs) can be exposed to the risk of infection from blood- or saliva-borne pathogens as a consequence of their work. Therefore, it is very important to prevent cross infection between patients and dental personnel. Accordingly, laboratory tests prior to surgical treatment are needed to determine the infectious state of dental patients in order to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases in dental clinics.
Department of Prosthodontic Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwang-ju 501-759, Korea.
Sun-A
SA
Lee
So Young
SY
Yoo
Kee-Sung
KS
Kay
Joong-Ki
JK
Kook
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003740:Dental Clinics; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010361:Patients; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D044967:Serum / Q000821:virology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens