Risk Of Transmitting Hepatitis Research Articles

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B among the Population at Algamosi Locality, Gezira State, Sudan

Background: The local population in developing countries is at higher risk of contracting hepatitis B (HBV) due to some of the factors they practice which promote its establishment and distribution within their communities and may constitute a burden for them. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with the hepatitis B virus in populations of the Algamosi region, Gezira State, central Sudan. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 492 people, populations of the Algamosi region, Gezira state in central Sudan. A questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic factors, transmission, and prevention of hepatitis B infections. As well, blood samples were taken from each participant, and serum was used for rapid tests for HBsAg. Positive samples were then tested by the ELISA method for confirmation. Data were obtained using SPSS version 21 and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B was 16.10% and was higher in men than in women (05.7 - 1.00). People aged 31 to 45 had the highest prevalence of 27 (20,600%) for HBV infection. There was a significant association between HBV and age groups (X2 = 7.816 and P value = 0.05). This study also found that there was a significant association between viral hepatitis and knowledge about transmission and prevention (P value < 0.005). This study showed a high prevalence of the hepatitis B virus in the local community of Algamosi in Sudan. So the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus was found to increase with age, Also, the previous infection with jaundice was identified among the risk factors contributing to the spread of hepatitis B, where the prevalence rate reached (2.7%) P value = 0.001. Social knowledge about hepatitis B was very high. Conclusion: Although most people who live in developing countries are at high risk for transmission of hepatitis B, this indicates the need to implement the screening policy and integrate it with other health services and create awareness such as proper treatment and surveillance for hepatitis infection in all nations.

Hepatitis Transmission Risk in Kidney Transplantation (the HINT study): A Cross-Sectional Survey of Transplant Clinicians in Australia and New Zealand.

Interpreting hepatitis serology and virus transmission risk in transplantation can be challenging. Decisions must balance opportunity to transplant against potential infection transmission. We aimed to survey understanding among the Australian and New Zealand medical transplant workforce of hepatitis risk in kidney donors and recipients. An anonymous, self-completed, cross-sectional survey was distributed via electronic mailing lists to Australian and New Zealand clinicians involved in kidney transplantation (2014-2015). We compared interpretation of clinical scenarios with paired donor and recipient hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus serology to recommendations in clinical practice guidelines. We used logistic regression modeling to investigate characteristics associated with decisions on transplant suitability in scenarios with poor (<50%) guideline concordance (odds ratios [OR]). One hundred ten respondents had representative workforce demographics: most were male (63%) nephrologists (74%) aged 40 to 49 years. Although donor and recipient hepatitis status was largely well understood, transplant suitability responses varied among respondents. For a hepatitis B virus surface antigen-positive donor and vaccinated recipient, 44% suggested this was unsuitable for transplant (guideline concordant) but 35% suggested this was suitable with prophylaxis (guideline divergent). In 4 scenarios with transplant suitability guideline concordance less than 50%, acute transplant care involvement predicted guideline concordant responses (OR, 1.69; P = 0.04). Guideline concordant responses were chosen less by hepatologists, intensive care doctors (OR, 0.23, 0.35, respectively; P = 0.01), and New Zealanders (guideline concordant responses OR, 0.17; P < 0.01; alternative responses OR, 4.31; P < 0.01). Despite broadly consistent interpretations of hepatitis serology, transplant suitability decisions varied and often diverged from guidelines. Improved decision support may reduce clinician variability.

Neuropsychiatric Complications of Injection-Associated Diseases: HIV and Hepatitis C

Intravenous use of illicit substances increases the risk for transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Both of these infections develop into chronic medical conditions with high morbidity and mortality. HIV and HCV may lead to significant neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive complications, including depression, fatigue, disturbed sleep, and cognitive impairment. Mental health providers need to be aware of these syndromes to initiate prompt evaluation and treatment. Furthermore, antiretroviral medications for HIV and direct-acting antivirals for HCV have their own neuropsychiatric side effects. Pegylated interferon for the treatment of hepatitis C, in particular, is strongly associated with depression. Finally, one must vigilantly monitor for possible drug-drug interactions when these agents are administered with psychotropic medications. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2017;47(1):38–44.]

Prevalence and Risk for Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis B in 15 Million Rural Couples Aged 20–49 Years in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence and Risk for Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis B in 15 Million Rural Couples Aged 20–49 Years in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C INFECTION IN A RURAL VILLAGE OF INDIA.

Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus are among the principal causes of severe liver disease. There is limited data of epidemiology of Hepatitis B in community, more so in rural population. To find the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection in community and study the risk factors for their transmission. This was a community based cross sectional study. A total of 1833 randomly selected subjects from a rural area were interviewed for risk factors for transmission and tested for markers of hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. All the positive card tests were confirmed by ELISA. Out of 2400 subjects, rate for participation was 76.38%. None of the subjects was positive for anti hepatitis C virus antibody. Point prevalence for HBsAg positivity was 0.92. Being healthcare worker and having tattoo were significantly associated with HBsAg positive results. Nose and ear piercing was reported by almost. History of blood or blood product transfusion, I/V drug abuse, multiple sexual partners, unsafe Injections, hemodialysis and any h/o surgery was not associated with HBsAg positivity. Health care workers are at high risk for transmission of hepatitis B. Educating common people regarding mode of transmission of Hepatitis B and C will help to reduce their transmission.

Occupational Hepatitis B Exposure: A Peek into Indian Dental Students' Knowledge, Opinion, and Preventive Practices.

Objective. To determine the level of knowledge, opinions, and preventive practices followed by dental students against Hepatitis B. The study also explored if any correlation existed between knowledge, opinion, and preventive practices score. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a dental teaching institution. The subjects comprised 216 dental students. The study was conducted using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was prepared to assess knowledge, opinion, and preventive practices against Hepatitis B. Kruskal-Wallis and Kendall Tau test were performed. Results. The study found that only 44.4% of the students were vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine. 59.3% of the students reported washing their hands after contact with patient's body fluids. 63.9% used personal protective measures like facemask, aprons, head cap, eye shields, and so forth, while treating patients. Median knowledge, opinion, and practice scores were found to be 5.00, 3.00, and 3.00, respectively. Significant correlation was obtained between knowledge and preventive practices score (r = 0.385, p value <0.0001). Conclusion. Effective measures need to be taken to improve preventive practices of the students to prevent them from risk of Hepatitis transmission. Mandatory vaccination against Hepatitis B needs to be implemented.

Oncological outcomes in patients who underwent glansectomy and skin grafting for treatment of penile squamous cell carcinoma

Oncological outcomes in patients who underwent glansectomy and skin grafting for treatment of penile squamous cell carcinoma

Hepatitis Transmission Risk in Nail Salons and Barbershops and Regulatory Requirements for Prevention

Hepatitis Transmission Risk in Nail Salons and Barbershops and Regulatory Requirements for Prevention

Cerumen as a potential risk for transmission of Hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission via blood and other body fluids from infected individuals to healthy people has been largely demonstrated. However, in the current literature, there is little information available on the potential role of cerumen in HBV transmission. Cerumen and blood were collected from 70 patients infected with HBV and 70 volunteer healthy people were selected as the control group, and the samples were evaluated by ELISA and Real-time PCR. All the patients proved positive for HBsAg and anti HBc total. Sixty-one of the 70 cerumen samples of cases (82.1%) and 5 (7%) of controls were positive for HBV DNA with ranges from 1.53 × 102 to 2.9 × 108 and 1.3 × 102-2.6 × 105/ml, respectively. In three patients, the level of HBV DNA in cerumen was higher than that in the serums. The patients who were positive for HBeAg showed a higher rate of HBVDNA in the serum and cerumen.The results of this study showed the level of HBV DNA as a probably indicator of high risk transmission factor, which was present in the cerumen of chronic hepatitis B patients in west of Iran.

Identification of Hepatitis C Virus RNA in Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid of Patients with Viremia

The potential risk for transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by peritoneal dialysis (PD) has been studied previously, with conflicting results. To assess whether HCV crosses the peritoneal membrane, the following determinations were performed in 16 patients (7 males, 9 females; mean age 41.8 years; mean time on PD 14 +/- 15 months) undergoing PD: serum anti-HCV using second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum and PD fluid HCV RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction, HCV genotyping by restriction fragment length polymorphism, and serum HCV load by branched DNA assay. Anti-HCV was positive in 10 patients. Serum HCV RNA was positive in 7 anti-HCV-positive patients and negative in all anti-HCV-negative patients. Fluid HCV RNA was detected in 5 (71.4%) patients testing positive for serum HCV RNA and in none testing negative for serum HCV RNA. Serum HCV genotype was 1a in 3 patients and 1b in 4; PD fluid HCV genotype was 1a in 1 patient and 1b in 4. Genotypes in serum and fluid were concordant when both were positive. Serum viral load ranged from nondetectable by the quantitative method to 5.1 MEq genome/mL in patients with fluid infection, and 1.05 MEq and 29 MEq genome/mL in the remaining 2 patients without detectable HCV in PD fLuid. HCV crosses the peritoneal membrane and may be detected in the dialysate of PD patients with proven viremia. Although our study population was small for firm conclusions to be drawn, this passage does not seem to depend upon the serum viral load. Our data support the notion that PD fluid needs careful handling and local disinfection to prevent possible spreading of viruses, in the institutional and the domestic environments.

Detection of HCV-RNA in Cerumen of Chronically HCV-Infected Patients

Viral hepatitis C is a worldwide public health problem. Hepatitis C virus is mainly transmitted by parenteral or percutaneous route. Nonparenteral transmission, such as through sexual activity, household contact, and vertical or perinatal exposure to body fluids or secretions, can occur, which has been studied before. Cerumen, however, has not been investigated for its ability to transmit hepatitis C virus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the importance of cerumen in transmission of hepatitis C virus infection. This study was performed on 35 patients with confirmed chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Thirty-five cerumen specimens collected from the patients with hepatitis C virus RNA in their sera were prospectively analyzed for the presence of hepatitis C virus RNA by polymerase chain reaction. None of the 35 cerumen specimens were positive for hepatitis C virus RNA. This study showed that cerumen has no risk for transmission of hepatitis C virus infection, even in patients with high hepatitis C virus RNA serum levels; however, standard infection control precautions should be applied carefully in all examinations and surgical operations of the ears.

Transmission risk of hepatitis C virus via semen during assisted reproduction: how real is it?

The risk of viral transmissibility in assisted reproduction is still a much-debated issue, especially for hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is a common causative agent for parenterally transmitted viral hepatitis. In addition, it has been incriminated in other routes of transmission, including sexual transmission and nosocomial infections. The management of infertility, in association with HCV, has sparked debates about the potential risk of spread of infection to virus-free individuals, embryos and/or semen. The lack of worldwide-accepted screening policies has helped to fuel this debate. Today, it is evident that there is a potential risk of spread of HCV through biological fluids, including semen, to other individuals. This risk can only be marginalized by the use of well-established criteria for safety in infertility centres, and by the use of proper initial detection and segregation of potentially hazardous materials. Techniques and protocols have been established to help the andrologist and embryologist to safeguard patients against such dangers, and should be imposed in all centres, allowing HCV-positive males to enter their assisted reproduction programmes.

Does cerumen have a risk for transmission of hepatitis B?

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a significant worldwide health problem. It affects 350 to 400 million people. The patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection have a significant risk for the development of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Full awareness of the mechanisms of transmission can allows susceptible individuals to refrain from this infection. Cerumen has never been studied as a route for hepatitis B transmission. The aim of the study was evaluate the importance of cerumen in transmission of hepatitis B virus infection. This study was performed on forty patients with confirmed hepatitis B virus infection. Forty cerumen specimens collected from the patients with hepatitis B virus DNA in their sera were prospectively analyzed for the presence of hepatitis B virus DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Eleven of 40 cerumen specimens (27.5%) were positive for hepatitis B virus DNA, with counts ranging from 4.2 x 10 to 4.7 x 10 copies per sample. There was positive correlation between hepatitis B virus DNA concentrations of serum and cerumen. Half of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients had detectable hepatitis B virus DNA levels (5.7 x 10 to 4.7 x 10 copies) in cerumen specimens, whereas 12.5% of cerumen specimens from anti-HBe-positive patients had hepatitis B virus DNA levels (4.2 x 10 to 7.0 x 10 copies). Cerumen can be a potential source of transmission. Therefore, this route should be investigated in further studies for horizontal, nosocomial, and occupational transmission of hepatitis B.

Knowledge level of students at the Kragujevac Medical School about nosocomial infections

To investigate differences in clinical and pre-clinical medical students' knowledge of nosocomial infections (NI). Cross-sectional survey. Questionnaires was answered and returned by 352 of 453 student (77.7%). The results indicated that students knew the definition of NI (70.1% correct answers) and their reservoirs (86%). The bacteria as etiological agents was the most frequent answer (76.4%), but 30.9% students did not knew at least one multidrug-resistant bacteria. About one half of the students (54.4%) knew that contact was the most frequent mode of NI transmission, but hand washing as preventive measure was cited by only 18.8% of students. Significantly statistical differences about NI in our country, etiology NI and preventive measures, and perception of risk for transmission of hepatitis B for health-care personnel were founded by year of training, by expectation that final-year medical students as more successfully, while pre-clinical students knew more about mode of NI transmission. Pre-clinical students who had previously finished nursing school knew more about multidrug-resistant bacteria than those who had finished some other secondary school, but showed a lower knowledge about definition and most important preventive measures of NI. Clinical students who had previously finished nursing school knew more about frequency NI in our country, reservoirs and preventive measures of NI than those who had finished some other secondary school. Data support the need for additional information about nosocomial infections, especially practical work in prevention, in order to get complete knowledge about nosocomial infections.

Virus des hépatites : transmission mère-enfant

The infection by the hepatitis viruses, when appearing during the pregnancy, could result in damages for the infant. However, risks differ according to the implicated virus. Hepatitis B virus infection, for which prevalence varies according to areas, is injurious when the mother is chronic HBsAg carrier. Risk consists of neonate’s contamination during the labour, and if contaminated, the neonate becomes a chronic carrier himself in 80 to 90% of cases. When the mother is positive for viral DNA in her serum, transmission rate is estimated at 90%. In the opposite, if the mother is negative for viral DNA in the serum, transmission rate is about 10 to 30%. HBsAg screening is obligatory in France during the sixth month of pregnancy: in case of positivity, serovaccination of the neonate is systematically carried out. Protection rate is 100% if the mother had a low viral load (<150 pg/ml) at the end of pregnancy, and weaker (about 70%) if the mother had a higher level of viral DNA. Transmission risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is much lesser, since it is about 5% for a woman who is positive for viral RNA at the end of her pregnancy, and at least 10% if the woman is moreover positive for the HIV. Risk is more important if the woman had an important plasmatic viral load (> 10 5 copies/ml) and if the duration between membrane rupture and delivery is long. Vaginal delivery and breast-feeding are not advised. Neonates from mothers who replicate the HCV at the end of pregnancy are serologically evaluated until 12–15 months of age, in order to determine their possible contamination. Delta virus transmission from mother to infant is exceptional and could be avoided by the HBV serovaccination of the new-born. Intra-utero transmission of hepatitis A virus is very rare, but perinatal transmission could occur. Materno-fetal transmission of hepatitis E virus has been reported, but the virus is essentially dangerous for the mother, resulting in a mortality rate of 15 to 25% if the acute infection occurs during the third trimester of the pregnancy.

Transmission risk of hepatitis C virus in assisted reproductive techniques.

Medical assistance for procreation in a couple where one or both parents has hepatitis C viral infection (HCV) raises the issue of the transmission of the infection to the baby and/or of possible contamination of both the technicians and the gametes or embryos from virus-free parents in the laboratory. It becomes essential to assess transmission risk in assisted reproductive techniques in order to define clearly the management of couples according to their viral status. To define the HCV transmissibility risk in assisted reproduction related to the presence of virus in semen from infected infertile men, HCV RNA detection was performed in sera, and semen and sperm fractions obtained after Percoll gradient centrifugation. HCV RNA was detected in 5% (2/39) of the semen samples tested: in the raw semen, in the seminal fluid and in the cell pellet but never after Percoll selection. According to these results, we suggest a strategy for HCV-infected infertile men who need assistance for procreation.

Occupational Risk of Hepatitis B and C Infections in Urologists

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and the related risk factors among urologic surgery patients and urologists. This cross-sectional, prospective study included 300 consecutive urologic surgery patients and 24 urologists working in our department. The patients and urologists with positive serology for any of the hepatitis viruses were questioned for risk factors including previous transfusions, surgery, endoscopy, intravenous drug abuse and homosexuality. Positive serology for HBV and/or HCV was found in 47.4% of the patients, and the rate of the patients with antigenemia, the major risk group for the urology team, was 9.9%. Of the 24 urologists working in our department, 3 were antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) positive and 2 were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive. The presence of a risk factor among patients with HBsAg was found in 78.9% and in 100% of those with anti-HCV. The prevalence of hepatitis in urologic surgery patients and urologists is poorly described. This study indicates a high prevalence of HBV and HCV seropositivity in urology patients. In urology wards, the risk of hepatitis transmission is estimated to be appreciably high because of the renal transplantation procedure and frequent use of blood and blood-contaminated solutions for transurethral resections or catheter irrigations. Vaccination with HBV vaccine and application of universal precautions during daily practice seem to be the only and most effective means of protection against blood-borne infections.

Grafting and the Risk of Hepatitis Transmission

Grafting and the Risk of Hepatitis Transmission

Hepatitissicherheit von Blutkonserven

Presented are current results of blood donor screening for hepatitis markers and of retrospective investigations of these blood donors, whose blood units were reported as a possible cause of transfusion-associated hepatitis. In 1993 517,120 donations of 260,559 donors were investigated by routine. Only 8 of the samples (0.049%) were found positive for HBs-Ag and negative for anti-HBc, thus showing markers for early hepatitis-B infection.This means 1 of 65,000 samples. 1,251 samples (0.48 %) were found repeatedly reactive for Anti-HCV. From January 01,1989 until December 31,1993,107 cases (100%) of possible transfusion-associated hepatitis by a total number of 1,365 transfused blood units were reported. In 88 (82%) of these cases we were able to exclude any connection between the reported blood units and receivers’ hepatitis infection. Only one case (1 %) of reported hepatitis-B was found to be probably caused by one of the mentioned units. In 14 (13 %) cases we were not able to make a follow-up examination of all donors, and in 4 cases we found questionable results. The results of these investigations refer to a very low risk of hepatitis transmission by single blood units, screened for HBs-Ag, anti-HBc, anti-HCV and ALT.

A technique for spot application of fibrin glue during open heart operations

Several techniques have been described for preparing and applying fibrin glue to control surgical bleeding. However, these methods tend to be cumbersome, expensive, or messy. Furthermore, commercial kits have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration because of the potential risk of hepatitis contamination. Therefore, we have devised a modified, simpler technique that enables the precise, pinpoint application of fibrin glue. The risk of hepatitis transmission is substantially reduced by using cryoprecipitate plasma instead of fibrinogen from pooled donors. This technique is especially well suited for anastomoses of small vessels or for sealing suture holes in nonporous grafts.