Serological markers of hepatitis B (AgHBs and Anti HBs) in high-risk individuals

Abstract

A total of 209 health workers from Hospital Universitario del Valle and the Unidad Regional de Salud in Cali, Colombia, were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) and antibodies for HBs Ag by a solid phase radio-immunoassay technique. This group was formed by 70 auxiliary laboratory workers, 68 laboratory technicians, 52 physicians, and 19 dentists. From this group, 30.8% of the physicians, 21.1% of the dentists, 18.6% of the laboratory workers, and 16.2% of the laboratory technicians were shown to have antibodies for HBs Ag, and only one sample was positive for HBs Ag, in an auxiliary laboratory worker. In conclusion, the health workers represent a high-risk group for hepatitis B infection, and active immunization policies are recommended, using a factor of 10 instead of the 2.1 suggested by the manufacturer for calculating the cut-off value. All persons with results below the cut-off value should be vaccinated.