title: The acceptable duration between occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis B immunoglobulin injection: Results from a Korean nationwide, multicenter study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Postexposure prophylaxis for occupational exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) plays an important role in the prevention of HBV infections in health care workers (HCWs). We examined data concerning the acceptable duration between occupational exposure and administration of a hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) injection in an occupational clinical setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis was conducted with data from 143 cases of HCWs exposed to HBV in 15 secondary and tertiary teaching hospitals between January 2005 and June 2013. Data were taken from the infection control records of each hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Active vaccination after HBV exposure was started in 119 cases (83.2%) and postvaccination testing for hepatitis B antibody showed positive seroconversion in 93% of cases. In 98 cases (68.5%), HBIG was administered within 24 hours after HBV exposure; however, 45 HCWs (31.5%) received an HBIG injection more than 24 hours postexposure and 2 among the 45 received an injection after 7 days. Although 31.5% received an HBIG injection more than 24 hours postexposure, no cases of seroconversion to hepatitis b antibody positivity occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For susceptible HCWs, HBIG administered between 24 hours and 7 days postexposure may be as effective as administration within 24 hours in preventing occupational HBV infection.
authors.affiliation: Kyungpook National University Hospital School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Ha
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Kyungpook National University Hospital School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Kee
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Chisook
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Korea University Ansan Hospital College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Won Suk
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee-Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri, Korea.
authors.forename: Jieun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Yeol
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Ah
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yu Mi
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Tae
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye In
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jang Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.affiliation: Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Kyung
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Hospital Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sook In
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.affiliation: Chonnam National University Hospital Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Hee
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Keun
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon Sook
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Yeungnam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hur
authors.affiliation: Kyungpook National University Hospital School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. Electronic address: ksw2kms@knu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Shin-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C045213:hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin
keywords: Health care workers; Hepatitis B virus; Occupational exposure; Postexposure prophylaxis; Treatment outcomes