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Review
. 2019 Jan 27;11(1):37-49.
doi: 10.4254/wjh.v11.i1.37.

Hepatitis in slaughterhouse workers

Hassan Tariq  1 , Muhammad Umar Kamal  2 , Jasbir Makker  1 , Sara Azam  1 , Usman Ali Pirzada  1 , Vaniza Mehak  1 , Kishore Kumar  1 , Harish Patel  1
Affiliations
Review

Hepatitis in slaughterhouse workers

Hassan Tariq et al. World J Hepatol. .

Abstract

Slaughterhouse workers (SHW) are at increased risk of hepatitis which can occur due to different organisms and should be investigated for viral, bacterial, and parasitic organisms. Slaughter house personnel including butchers are at a higher risk of infections from cuts and blood-letting, with the possible risk of the transmission of blood-borne pathogens to their colleagues. The objective of this review is to evaluate the common etiologies of hepatitis in SHW which will assist in the assessment of these patients presenting with transaminitis. Types of Microorganisms causing hepatitis with their reservoirs, routes of transmission, laboratory diagnosis, clinical features, treatment options and preventive strategies are included in this review. Proper investigation and awareness is of utmost importance as it causes significant financial constraints derived from workers health cost and from livestock production losses when the disease is confirmed. The work up is essential because infected workers might be a source of infections to other colleagues, family and the consumers.

Keywords: Abattoir; Hepatitis; Liver infections; Occupational safety; Slaughterhouse workers; Transaminitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: None of authors listed above have any conflicts to interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Etiology of hepatitis in slaughter house workers based on the type of the animal exposure.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Algorithm for the evaluation and management of hepatitis in the patients working in Slaughterhouses.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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