High risk groups for hepatitis B virus infection in a university hospital staff as determined by detection of HB antigens, antibodies, and Dane particles.

The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBs has been determined by solid-phase radioimmunoassay in 1815 university hospital employees and compared with the results obtained by investigating 131 metal workers and 86 laboratory technicians. Hospital personnel and here especially dialysis staff members and laboratory workers is at higher risk to acquire a hepatitis B virus infection than population compartments without contact to patients or blood. Electronmicroscopic studies revealed that a considerable number of the blood samples of HBsAg-positive staff members contained Dane-particles. These employees have to be considered infectious and possibly present a hazard to the patients they take care of.