TY - JOUR
T1 - Hepatitis B Infection in Physicians
T2 - Results of a Nationwide Seroepidemiologic Survey
AU - Denes, Alexander E.
AU - Maynard, James E.
AU - Berquist, Kenneth R.
AU - Doto, Irene L.
AU - Smith, Joseph L.
AU - Finkel, Asher J.
PY - 1978/1/16
Y1 - 1978/1/16
N2 - To define the epidemiologic features of occupationally acquired hepatitis B infection among physicians, we conducted a seroepidemiologic survey of physicians attending three American Medical Association conventions in 1975 and 1976. Of 1,192 participating physicians, 220 (18.5%) had serologic evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection (positive hepatitis B surface antibody). The infection rate was higher among those practicing in urban communities; it increased with the number of years in practice; and among specialties, it was highest in pathologists (27%) and surgeons (28%). The serologic data demonstrated a changing pattern of viral hepatitis related to entry into the medical profession, with hepatitis B accounting for a majority of clinical hepatitis experienced after beginning medical practice.
AB - To define the epidemiologic features of occupationally acquired hepatitis B infection among physicians, we conducted a seroepidemiologic survey of physicians attending three American Medical Association conventions in 1975 and 1976. Of 1,192 participating physicians, 220 (18.5%) had serologic evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection (positive hepatitis B surface antibody). The infection rate was higher among those practicing in urban communities; it increased with the number of years in practice; and among specialties, it was highest in pathologists (27%) and surgeons (28%). The serologic data demonstrated a changing pattern of viral hepatitis related to entry into the medical profession, with hepatitis B accounting for a majority of clinical hepatitis experienced after beginning medical practice.
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U2 - 10.1001/jama.1978.03280300042018
DO - 10.1001/jama.1978.03280300042018
M3 - Article
C2 - 579391
AN - SCOPUS:0017845074
VL - 239
SP - 210
EP - 212
JO - JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association
JF - JAMA - Journal of the American Medical Association
SN - 0002-9955
IS - 3
ER -