The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and the related risk factors among urologic surgery patients and urologists. This cross-sectional, prospective study included 300 consecutive urologic surgery patients and 24 urologists working in our department. The patients and urologists with positive serology for any of the hepatitis viruses were questioned for risk factors including previous transfusions, surgery, endoscopy, intravenous drug abuse and homosexuality. Positive serology for HBV and/or HCV was found in 47.4% of the patients, and the rate of the patients with antigenemia, the major risk group for the urology team, was 9.9%. Of the 24 urologists working in our department, 3 were antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) positive and 2 were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive. The presence of a risk factor among patients with HBsAg was found in 78.9% and in 100% of those with anti-HCV. The prevalence of hepatitis in urologic surgery patients and urologists is poorly described. This study indicates a high prevalence of HBV and HCV seropositivity in urology patients. In urology wards, the risk of hepatitis transmission is estimated to be appreciably high because of the renal transplantation procedure and frequent use of blood and blood-contaminated solutions for transurethral resections or catheter irrigations. Vaccination with HBV vaccine and application of universal precautions during daily practice seem to be the only and most effective means of protection against blood-borne infections.

Keywords:
Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus, Surgery, Urology
This content is only available via PDF.
1999
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.