Vermeulen P J, Diedericks B J, Smith M S, de Wet J I
S Afr Med J. 1987 May 16;71(10):631-3.
A study was undertaken to determine whether the 48 anaesthetists in Bloemfontein have a higher rate of exposure to hepatitis B virus than comparable groups and whether active immunisation with hepatitis B surface antigen is necessary. Hepatitis B markers were detected by radio-immunoassay and the results analysed statistically. Hepatitis B markers were found in the sera of 36.17% of the anaesthetists and they had an 8-9 times greater prevalence of markers than employees of the local hospitals. Hence anaesthetists run a larger risk of contracting hepatitis B and its complications. It is recommended that non-immune anaesthetists be immunised.
