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Seroprevalence of Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus in High-Risk Hospital Personnel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

Brian W. Cooper ,
Allan Krusell ,
Richard C. Tilton ,
Randolph Goodwin  and
Robert E. Levitz
Brian W. Cooper*
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, The University of Connecticut Medical School, Farmington
Allan Krusell
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, The University of Connecticut Medical School, Farmington
Richard C. Tilton
Affiliation:
North American Laboratory Group, New Britain, Connecticut
Randolph Goodwin
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, The University of Connecticut Medical School, Farmington
Robert E. Levitz
Affiliation:
Division of Infectious Diseases, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, The University of Connecticut Medical School, Farmington
*
Division of Infectious Diseases, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT 06115
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Abstract

Obective:

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] = 03.2%) of healthcare workers. None of the prevalent seropositives had a past history of clinical hepatitis or blood transfusion.

Conclusions:

We conclude that the sero-prevalence 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.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 13 , Issue 2 , February 1992 , pp. 82 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1992

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