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- Title
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels and the management of HBV-infected health care workers.
- Authors
van der Eijk, A. A.; de Man, R. A.; Niesters, H. G. M.; Schalm, S. W.; Zaaijer, H. L.
- Abstract
Different guidelines exist for the management of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected health care workers (HCWs). Various HBV DNA levels are used as a cutoff level to determine whether an HBV-infected HCW is allowed to perform exposure-prone procedures (EPPs) or not. In this paper we discuss the factors that determine HBV DNA levels and the implications of different HBV DNA cutoff levels for EPP performing HCWs. If the level of HBV DNA in the serum of HCWs is used to determine acceptability for the conduct of EPPs, it is necessary to take into account the variability in time of HBV DNA levels in HBV carriers and the reliability and reproducibility of the molecular diagnostic test involved. The issue of standardization has to be addressed, before a universal, maximum level of viraemia for EPP performing HCWs can be introduced.
- Subjects
HEPATITIS B virus; HEPATITIS B; VIRAL hepatitis; MEDICAL personnel; DNA; DISEASES
- Publication
Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 2006, Vol 13, Issue 1, p2
- ISSN
1352-0504
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2893.2005.00644.x