Prevalence of hepatitis B and D viral infections among hospital personnel in Mosul-Iraq

Abstract EN

The prevalence rates of hepatitis B and delta viral ill-fections were studied in un vaccinated hospital staff and a control group of textile factory workers in Mosul, North-ern Iraq.

HBsAg carrier cases were further leste({ [()/■ HBeAg, Anti-Hbe, andAnti-Delta markers.

The seroposi-tivity rate (HBsAg orAnti-HBs) in hospital workers (43.9%) was significant!)' higher than the control group (27%) (p<0.001).

The detection of HBeAg in hospital workers indicated the high infectivity (»[this group compared to the controls.

The detection of Anti-Delta marker in HBsAg carrier hospital workers indicated their liability to co-in-fection and super-infection with HD V with the added seri-ou* consequences of liver damage.

It is hoped that these findings will encourage the many unvaccinated medical staff to accept the currently avail-able safe immunogenic DNA recombinant vaccin،' in the interest of both themselves and the community.