Occupational risk of hepatitis B and C infections in urologists

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B viru s (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and the related risk factors Abstract among urologic surgery patients and urologists. This cross sectio nal, prospective study included 300 consecutive urologic surgery patients a nd 24 urologists working in our department. The patients and urologists wit h positive serology for any of the hepatitis viruses were questioned for ri sk factors including previous transfusions, surgery, endoscopy, intravenous drug abuse and homosexuality. Positive serology for HBV and/or HCV was fou nd in 47.4% of the patients, and the rate of the patients with antigenemia, the major risk group for the urology team, was 9.9%. Of the 24 urologists working in our department, 3 were antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) positive and 2 were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive. The presence of a risk factor among patients with HBsAg was found in 78.9% and in 100% of those wi th anti-HCV. The prevalence of hepatitis in urologic surgery patients and u rologists is poorly described. This study indicates a high prevalence of HB V and HCV seropositivity in urology patients. In urology wards, the risk of hepatitis transmission is estimated to be appreciably high because of the renal transplantation procedure and frequent use of blood and blood-contami nated solutions for transurethral resections or catheter irrigations. Vacci nation with HBV vaccine and application of universal precautions during dai ly practice seem to be the only and most effective means of protection agai nst blood-bottle infections.