Clustering of hepatitis B viral infection among family members of HBsAg carrier hospital personnel in Mosul, [northern Iraq]

ABSTRACT

Radioimmunoassay [RIA]was used to study the prevalence of hepatitis B viral infection [HBV] among 50 family members of HBsAg carrier hospital personnel and 52 family members of non-carrier hospital personnel working at the main health care centers in mosul. HBsAg and anti-HBs was detected in rate of 22.0% and 46.0% respectively among the first group and in rate of 3.8% and 17.3% respectively among the second group. The seropositvity rate [HBsAg or Anti-HBs] was high among spouses and children. HBeAg marker was detected more often among members of HBeAg positive carriers. This study indicates that family members of HBsAg carrier hospital workers are at high risk of contact infection with HBV.screening of family members of HBsAg positive hospital personnel is important and subsequent vaccination of seronegative members should be adopted to stop this intrafamilial spread of infection