Study of the prevalence of heaptitis C and B virus infection among anaesthetists in Assiut University Hospital

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus [anti-HCV] was determined in 35 anesthetists in Assiut University Hospital. The prevalence was 8.6%. This is higher than that reported in Spain [4.3%], the United Kingdom [0.5 - 1%], Italy [0.87%], or Germany [0.24 to 0.79%]. On the other hand, this prevalence is lower than that reports from Reyadh Hospital, where the incidence was 9.2%. Those anesthetists are screened for hepatitis B markers; namely, HBsAg and HBcAb of IgG type. The incidence of HBsAg was 8.6%, this is higher than incidence in physicians of internal medicine [27 persons], where the incidence was 3.7%. However, the prevalence of HBv infection among the same group taking anti-HBc of IgG type as an index of post- infection was found to be 25.7%. This is much higher than that in physicians of Internal Medicine Department, where the incidence was 11.1%. So, the anesthetists are considered one member of risky groups for hepatitis either C or B infection