RISK OF INFECTION WITH HELICOBACTER-PYLORI AND HEPATITIS-A VIRUS IN DIFFERENT GROUPS OF HOSPITAL WORKERS

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether differe nt staff groups in an acute care hospital are at increased risk of acq uiring Helicobacter pylori and hepatitis A virus infection. Methods: W e examined staff members of an acute care hospital for serum antibodie s to H. pylori IgG (n = 457) and to hepatitis A virus (n = 434). The s taff members were assigned to three groups: 1) nonmedical staff (n = 1 10), 2) medical and nursing staff (n = 272), and 3) medical and nursin g staff working in a gastroenterology and endoscopy unit (n = 75). Ser um antibodies were measured by validated enzyme immunoassays. A questi onnaire inquiring about medical and professional history, history of u pper GI pain and ulcer, as well as about the use of nonsteroidal antii nflammatory drugs or medication for GI complaints and smoking habits w as completed by each person. Results: The seroprevalence of H. pylori was 35.5% in group I, 34.6% in group II, and 24.0% in group III (not s ignificant). The seroprevalence of N. pylori antibodies increased with age (p < 0.001), and antibodies were present more frequently in women than in men (36.2 vs 25.4%, p < 0.05). After adjustment for age, dura tion of experience and the number of years working in the gastroentero logy or endoscopy unit did not increase H. pylori seropositivity. No s ignificant association was found between H. pylori seropositivity and history of upper GI pain, ulcers, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammator y drugs or medication for Gf complaints, or tobacco use. The prevalenc e of hepatitis A antibodies was similiar in the three groups (group I, 26.4%; II, 26.5%; III, 21.7%; not significant). Cross-tabulation show ed that 67 subjects (15.4%) were seropositive for both H. pylori and h epatitis A (p < 0.001) and that 245 (56.5%) were negative for both. Se venty-seven (17.7.%) and 45 (10.4%) were seropositive for only H. pylo ri and for only hepatitis A, respectively. Conclusions: Occupational e xposure to patients in an acute care hospital as well as to patients a nd to endoscopic procedures of a gastroenterology and endoscopy unit d oes not increase the rate of infection with H. pylori. The significant correlation between the seroprevalences of H. pylori and hepatitis A antibodies suggests fecal-oral transmission of H. pylori.