Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1989 Oct;103(2):383-5.
doi: 10.1017/s0950268800030739.

Hepatitis B markers in West Yorkshire firemen

B A Crosse  1 , C Teale, E M Lees
Affiliations

Hepatitis B markers in West Yorkshire firemen

B A Crosse et al. Epidemiol Infect. 1989 Oct.

Abstract

Firemen have been considered at occupational risk of hepatitis (HBV) infection, but proof is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of risk by determining the prevalence of serological markers of past infection with HBV in members of the West Yorkshire Fire Service. Sera from 173 firemen, 9.3% of the brigade, were tested for antibodies to HBV surface antigen and to core antigen. Those containing anti-HBs greater than or equal to 10 IU/L or anti-core antibody, were also tested for antibody to HBe antigen. The presence of more than one marker was used to define past infection. One sample satisfied this criterion, giving a prevalence rate of 0.6%. This compares with a rate of 1% in London blood donors. We conclude that the group shows no evidence of having been at increased risk of HBV infection. A comprehensive vaccination policy for firemen might be questionable.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Lancet. 1980 Feb 2;1(8162):246-9 - PubMed
    1. J Med Virol. 1981;6(4):323-32 - PubMed
    1. Epidemiol Infect. 1988 Feb;100(1):145-51 - PubMed
    1. J Hosp Infect. 1986 Jan;7(1):26-33 - PubMed
    1. Br J Clin Pract. 1987 Jan;41(1):569-76 - PubMed

Publication types

Substances