Prevalence of hepatitis A, B, C, and E antibody in flying airline personnel

Objectives The aim of the study was to detect the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis A, B, C, and E viruses in flying airline personnel, and t o determine the necessity of hepatitis A vaccination to prevent such infect ions related to occupational exposure. Methods: Antibodies against hepatiti s A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HVC), and E (HEV) were tested for using standard enz yme immunoassay in airline personnel, 208 flying personnel, 199 ground crew , and 204 employees from companies not involved in travel activities. Resul ts: Prevalence of antibodies against HAV was less than 5% in each group, an d there was no significant difference between the three groups. Prevalence of antibodies against HEV was significantly higher in flying personnel (3.4 %) than in the control groups. Prevalence of antibodies against HBV and HCV was low in each of the three groups and there were no differences between the three groups. Conclusions: Infection with HAV, HBV and HCV does not see m to represent an occupational hazard to flying personnel. It is possible t hat flying personnel are exposed to infection with HEV, however, presently no vaccine is available. Keywords: hepatitis virus infection, serosurvey, a ntibody, aircrew, occupational hazard, travel medicine.