Dental Care and Spread of Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Overview

Journal J Clin Microbiol

Specialty Microbiology

Date 1978 Sep 1

PMID 701467

Citations 2

Authors

A Tzukert

S G Sandler

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Sera from 576 healthy adults were tested for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs) to evaluate the role of routine dental care as a factor in the spread of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Serological evidence of prior HBV infection, manifested by acquisition of anti-HBs, was detected in 97 (16.8%) individuals, and 6 (1.0%) were identified to be asymptomatic HBsAg carriers. The anticipated correlations of HBsAg and anti-HBs with age, country of birth, and socioeconomic status were observed in the study population. However, prevalences of both HBsAg and anti-HBs were inversely related to the lifetime total of dental care visits. These findings indicated that, in a region in which the HBsAg carrier state and hepatitis B are prevalent, routine dental care is not identified as an important factor in the spread of HBV infection. While the results do not exclude the obvious possibility that cross-infections with HBV may occur during dental care in specific situations, they indicate that this mode of infection is exceptional.

Citing Articles

Awareness and compliance of dental students and interns toward infection control at Riyadh Elm University.

Binalrimal S, AlDrees A, AlWehaibi M, Alasmary M, AlShammery A, AlHaidri E GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2019; 14:Doc10.

PMID: 31538043 PMC: 6734498. DOI: 10.3205/dgkh000326.

The HBsAg-Positive Patient: Implications and a Guide to Management.

Larke R Can Fam Physician. 2011; 25:317-9.

PMID: 21297691 PMC: 2382988.

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