Homologous serum jaundice; an occupational hazard to medical personnel.

Abstract

During the past eight years much attention has been focused on the epidemiology and other public health aspects of infectious hepatitis and homologous serum jaundice, especially the accidental transfer of these diseases through parenteral infusions and immunizations. However, little has been recorded concerning the possible risks to medical personnel who handle blood and its derivatives. At the time of this writing there have been only two reports1devoted to this subject, and they have appeared in the literature in the last 14 months. It appears that hepatitis of this origin is much commoner than this scant attention reflects, for in Memphis, Tenn., there have been 16 such cases among medical personnel in four hospitals during the past three years. Therefore, the purpose of this report is to record these cases, to emphasize the importance of the accidental transfer of jaundice, usually of the homologous serum variety, to employees whose