Molecular methods of measurement of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus infection: implications for occupational health practice

Over the past decade, several molecular techniques far the detection of hum an immunodeficiency virus (HN), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C vi rus (HCV) have been developed that have implications for occupational healt h practice. This review describes the techniques used for qualitative and q uantitative detection of the viral genome, and briefly explains nucleic aci d sequencing and analysis of phylogenetic trees. The review also discusses the current and potential uses of these techniques in investigations of tra nsmission of bloodborne viruses by patient to worker and worker to patient, in the management of occupational exposure to blood, in research, and in t he development of guidance and policy on infected healthcare workers who pe rform procedures prone to exposure.