Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among health care workers in Baghdad, Iraq

There are several reports on the occupational risk of hepatitis C virus infection of health care workers [HCWs] by accidental inoculation of infected blood. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of anti-HCV among a sample of Iraqi HCWs. A total of 1656 HCWs selected from various hospitals and medical units in Baghdad, together with 238 "apparently" healthy subjects [controls] were tested for anti-HCV from June 1995 to April !998. Serum testing was carried out by a third generation of enzyme immunoassay [EIA] for screening for anti-HCV and a third generation recombinant immunoblot assay [RIA-111] for confirmation of the presence of HCV antibodies. A higher rate of anti-HCV [1.51%] was observed among HCWs than controls [0.84%]. The highest prevalence rate of anti-HCV was detected in the renal dialysis group [6.25%] followed by the dentistry group [4.26%]. These were the only groups having a statistically significant higher prevalence of anti-HCV than controls when each group was compared with controls. An increase in the prevalence of anti-HCV with duration of professional practice was demonstrated. The highest rate of anti-HCV was detected among HCWs in cardiovascular surgery hospitals [4.21%] followed by infectious disease hospitals [3.37%]. Efforts to reduce exposure to blood and other body fluids are needed to reduce the risk of the occupational transmission of HCV infection, as no vaccine against HCV infection is available yet

Prevalence of Hepatitis B serological markers among health care workers in Baghdad, Iraq

Most previous studies on the prevalence of hepatitis B markers among Iraqi health care workers [HCW's] were limited to detection of HBsAg and anti-HBs antibodies. This work is a comprehensive one carried out to determine the prevalence of serological markers of HBV among a sample of Iraqi HCW's, and to elucidate the effect of various health professions, duration of professional practice, and the practice in different hospitals on exposure to HBV. A total of 1656 HCW's selected from various hospitals and medical units in Baghdad, together with 238 apparently healthy subjects [as control group] were screened for HBsAg and anti-HGs antibodies in the period from June 1995 to April 1998.All HBsAg positive subjects [HCWs and controls] were tested for anti-HBc [IgM], HBeAg and anti-HBe. Serum testing was carried out by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. A higher rate of HBsAg [5.4%] was observed among HCW's than controls [3.4%]. A significantly higher prevalence rate of anti-HBs antibodies in HCW's [39.3%] than controls [24.4%] was demonstrated. A significant difference in the prevalence of HBsAg was detected in the renal dialysis group only when each group was compared with the controls. The frequency of HBV infection was more than two times higher in HCW's with more than twenty years duration of professional practice compared to those with less than one year duration of practice. The lowest rate of HBsAg was seen among HCW's in general hospitals [4.8%], wherase the highest rate seen among those infectious diseases hospitals [9.0%]. HCW's still represent a high-risk group for HBV infection, and they may act as a potential source of infection to their contacts. Therefore vaccination of HCW's should be vigorously applied

HBV markers and antibody protective level among Iraqi vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects

Iraq is among countries of intermediate hepatitis B endemicity. Although several studies have been carried out on the prevalence of HBV markers, no previous study was done to determine the protective antibody level after HBV vaccination. Therefore, this study was carried out to detect HBV markers and antibody protective level among vaccinated and unvaccinated Iraqi subjects. A total of 400 subjects [298 thalassaemic patients and 102 [healthy] subjects] were included in the study for the period 1[st] Oct. 2002 to 28[th] Feb. 2003. Thalassaemic patients represent the vaccinated group, and the [healthy] subjects represent the unvaccinated control group. The same rate of HBsAg was detected in vaccinated and unvaccinated groups [2%]. Protective anti-HBs level was demonstrated in 229 [76.8%] and 25 [24.5%] of vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, respectively. The protective rate of protective level of anti-HBs among those who receive three primary doses of vaccine [77.7%] was significantly higher than among those who did not complete the course of vaccination. The rate of protective anti-HBs level among those who received the full course of vaccination is lower than that reported in literature. Improper vaccination or handling of the vaccine could also contribute to this low level as result of deterioration of health services during the last 2 decades

CMV infection among HIV/AIDS patients in Iraq

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of CMV infection among HIV/AIDS patients in relation to disease progression, and to study the mortality during the period of the study. The study included 155 HIV/AIDS patients [148 HIV- infected and seven AIDS patients] and 122 apparently "healthy" controls. CMV [IgG and IgM] antibodies "were determined by ELISA. The patients were followed up for a period of nine months, and retested frequently for development of active CMV infection. The prevalence of CMV [IgG] antibodies in the HIV/AIDS patients was 100%. A significant higher prevalence of CMV [IgM] among AIDS patients [42.9%] than among HIV infected patients [0.0%] and "healthy" controls [0.8%]. No deaths were reported among asymptomatic HIV infected patients while the mortality among AIDS patients was [42.9%]. Only one patient [7.7%] out of 13 asymptomatic HIV infected developed active CMV infection 10 years later by testing for CMV [IgM] in 1991 and 2001. Demonstration of active CMV is of prognostic value in detection of development of AIDS and survival of patients