Incidence and prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and cytomegalovirus among health care personnel at risk for blood exposure: final report from a longitudinal study

J Infect Dis. 1994 Dec;170(6):1410-7. doi: 10.1093/infdis/170.6.1410.

Abstract

In a 10-year dynamic cohort study, 976 health care providers were followed a mean of 1.9 years to evaluate the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, delayed seroconversion, and seronegative latent infection following occupational exposures. The seroprevalence and incidence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection were also measured, with annual serologic testing for viruses and postexposure HIV tests. One of 327 percutaneous exposures (0.31%; confidence interval, 0.008%-1.69%) and 0 of 398 mucocutaneous exposures to HIV-infected blood transmitted HIV. Neither delayed seroconversions nor seronegative latent infections were detected. The baseline seroprevalences of HBV, HIV, HCV, and CMV infection were 21.7%, 0, 1.4%, and 43.4%, respectively. Corresponding incidence density rates were 3.05, 0.055, 0.08, and 2.48 (per 100 person-years). Despite infection control precautions and availability of hepatitis B vaccine, these health care providers remain at risk for acquiring bloodborne viral infections.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Blood / virology
  • Blood-Borne Pathogens*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Health Personnel*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Prevalence
  • San Francisco / epidemiology