HBsAg antiHBs and liver function tests in lead-exposed workers.

Abstract

In Taiwan, an endemic area of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, occupational lead poisoning is a major problem of industrial hygiene. In order to estimate the prevalence of HBV infection and the effect of lead on liver function in lead-exposed workers, we determined the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and its antibody (antiHBs), measured blood lead and urinary coproporphyrin levels, hematocrit and conventional liver function tests (LFT) in 98 lead-exposed workers and 63 healthy controls. The results demonstrated that the blood lead concentration, urinary coproporphyrin excretion are significantly higher in the workers than in the controls, whereas the hematocrit level is statistically lower in the workers than in the controls. The prevalent rates of HBsAg (30.61%) and antiHBs (63.27%) in the workers showed no significant difference from the rates (20.63% and 74.60%, respectively) in healthy subjects. Among the liver function tests, GOT, GPT, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, globulin and alpha-1 globulin in workers are statistically higher than in controls, but A/G, total and direct bilirubin are significantly lower in the former than in the latter. Among workers, there is no relationship between different blood lead or urinary coproporphyrin concentration and the prevalence of HBsAg and antiHBs, but blood lead concentration is significantly higher in workers with HBsAg-positive than those with antiHbs-positive. The cause is to be determined.