Epidemiology of HBV serological markers in public health workers in the Sharjah Medical Area

In a seroepidemiologic survey for HBV markers among public health workers of Sharjah, 831 subjects comprising most of the public health care personnel were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], Hepatitis B surface antibody [HBsAb], and Hepatitis B core antibody [HBcAb].The study revealed that nurses were at highest risk with a prevalence rate of 36%. Doctors were next with a prevalence rate of 25.8%. A control group had a rate of 15.7%. The risk among doctors was found to be generally higher among hospital members who had more frequent contact with blood than the primary care personnel. The duration of exposure seemed to affect the prevalence among the same group of doctors

Hepatitis B vaccination: a clinical trial of the yeast derived recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine

A clinical trial to evaluate the protective efficacy of the yeast derived recombinant-DNA hepatitis B vaccine in Sharjah has shown that 21 of the 23 subjects vaccinated acquired significant titers of hepatitis B surface antibody protective against the infection. The two subjects who faiIed to respond were vaccinated in the gluteal region. No adverse reactions to the vaccine were reported during the trial. The yeast derived recombinant-DNA hepatitis B vaccine is an effective, safe and reliable measure of controlling hepatitis B