Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in employees of a blood transfusion centre.

ABSTRACT

Blood bank staff, 8 out of 25 (32%) have been exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the prevalence of HBV markers in blood bank employees handling high risk subjects show hepatitis B surface antigen (n = 1), hepatitis B surface antibody (n = 7), hepatitis B core antibody (n = 6) and combined hepatitis B surface antibody and hepatitis B core antibody (n = 6) seropositivity but all are negative to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Serum alanine aminotransferase was raised in the employees than normal subjects and it is suggestive of sub-clinical hepatitis. The employees of blood bank should be trained for proper handling of test materials and must be periodically monitored for HBV and HIV. Immunisation for HBV is mandatory only for the employees of transfusion centre which handles high risk subjects.