Seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in high-risk hospital personnel.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
; 13(2): 82-5, 1992 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-1541808
OBJECTIVE: To estimate seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in healthcare workers at high risk for blood exposure. DESIGN: A prospective anonymous seroprevalence survey of 243 healthcare workers. SETTING: A large referral hospital and 2 community hospitals in Connecticut. PARTICIPANTS: Healthcare workers, including surgical personnel, dentists, hemodialysis workers, laboratory workers, and emergency room staff. RESULTS: Antibody to hepatitis C virus was found in 1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI95] = 0-3.2%) of healthcare workers. None of the prevalent seropositives had a past history of clinical hepatitis or blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in healthcare workers with a high degree of blood exposure is low and is similar to seroprevalence rates reported for volunteer blood donors. However, first-generation hepatitis C serologic tests may underestimate the true prevalence of infection. Further studies, including prospective cohort studies, will be required to determine if the low seroprevalence is from low risk of acquisition of disease or from loss of measurable humoral antibody response to the virus.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Personal de Hospital
/
Anticuerpos Antihepatitis
/
Hepatitis C
/
Proteínas no Estructurales Virales
/
Antígenos Virales
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
ENFERMAGEM
/
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
HOSPITAIS
Año:
1992
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos