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A Seroepidemiologic Study of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Barbers in Huangshi City, Hubei, China
Author(s) -
Shaoliang She,
Luyuan Shi,
Yuanjian Wu,
Zhanzhao Li,
Cuanzheng Zheng,
Yingping Wu,
Xinghai Yu
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.664
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1348-0421
pISSN - 0385-5600
DOI - 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1988.tb01382.x
Subject(s) - china , virology , biology , hepatitis a virus , hepatitis b virus , virus , geography , archaeology
Between March and August 1986 in Huangshi City, serum samples were collected from 316 apparently healthy barbers as a study group, as well as from 361 healthy employees of department stores as a control group. They were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti‐HBs) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) by enzyme‐linked immunoadsorbent assays. Barbers showed a prevalence higher than that in controls for HBsAg (16.8 vs. 9.2%, P <0.01), anti‐HBs (67.1 vs. 45.9%, P <0.001), and anti‐HBc (39.2 vs. 21.2%, P <0.001). The prevalence of at least one marker of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was significantly higher in barbers than in controls (86.1 vs. 61.7%, P <0.001). Although the socioeconomic status and education level did not correlate with the frequency of HBV markers, the prevalence of HBsAg increased in parallel with the duration of practice. Because of their high risk for HBV infection, barbers need to be screened for markers of HBV infection on a routine basis, and are prime candidates for immunoprophylaxis with hepatitis B vaccine.