title: European recommendations for the management of healthcare workers occupationally exposed to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus.
abstract: Exposure prevention is the primary strategy to reduce the risk of occupational bloodborne pathogen infections in healthcare workers (HCW). HCWs should be made aware of the medicolegal and clinical relevance of reporting an exposure, and have ready access to expert consultants to receive appropriate counselling, treatment and follow-up. Vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV), and demonstration of immunisation before employment are strongly recommended. HCWs with postvaccinal anti-HBs levels, 1-2 months after vaccine completion, >or=10 mIU/mL are considered as responders. Responders are protected against HBV infection: booster doses of vaccine or periodic antibody concentration testing are not recommended. Alternative strategies to overcome non-response should be adopted. Isolated anti-HBc positive HCWs should be tested for anti-HBc IgM and HBV-DNA: if negative, anti-HBs response to vaccination can distinguish between infection (anti-HBs >or=50 mUI/ml 30 days after 1st vaccination: anamnestic response) and false positive results(anti-HBs >or=10 mUI/ml 30 days after 3rd vaccination: primary response); true positive subjects have resistance to re-infection. and do not need vaccination The management of an occupational exposure to HBV differs according to the susceptibility of the exposed HCW and the serostatus of the source. When indicated, post-exposure prophylaxis with HBV vaccine, hepatitis B immunoglobulin or both must be started as soon as possible (within 1-7 days). In the absence of prophylaxis against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, follow-up management of HCV exposures depends on whether antiviral treatment during the acute phase is chosen. Test the HCW for HCV-Ab at baseline and after 6 months; up to 12 for HIV-HCV co-infected sources. If treatment is recommended, perform ALT (amino alanine transferase) activity at baseline and monthly for 4 months after exposure, and qualitative HCV-RNA when an increase is detected.
authors.affiliation: Istituto Nazionale per le Malattie Infettive Lazzaro Spallanzani, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Puro
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Carli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cicalini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Soldani
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Balslev
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Begovac
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boaventura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campins Martí
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hernández Navarrete
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kammerlander
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lot
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lunding
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ippolito
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005060:Europe; D006282:Health Personnel; D016174:Hepacivirus; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006515:Hepatitis B virus; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents