seroepidemiology of hepatitis B in haemodialysis units

ABSTRACT

A seroepidemiologic study for hepatitis-B virus [HBV] markers in 64 chronic renal failure patients from four haemodialysis units of Karachi was conducted. Hepatitis-B surface antigen [HBsAg] was detected in 17.2% of patients and 5.4% of controls, while antibody to hepatitis N surface antigen [anti-HBs] was dected in 21.9% of patients as compared to 3.6% of the control group [p < .OS]. Eight of the 39 HBV seronegative patients became HBsAg positive during study period of 10 months. Sample collected from dialysis machines demonstrated about 11% positive, while 40% of the samples from units floors were found to be positive for HBsAg. One of the staff members developed HBsAg during study period while two had anti IIBs. The prevalence of HBsAg among family contacts of the patients was 7.4%, however, spouses seemed to be at higher risk