Viral hepatitis A as an occupational disease in the city of Iaşi

• Published in: Revista medico-chirurgicala a Societatii de Medici si Naturalisti din Iasi Vol. 103; no. 3-4; p. 161
• Main Authors: Iacob, E, Durnea, C, Năstase, A, Scripcaru, L, Pisică-Donose, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Romanian
• Published: Romania 01.07.1999
• Subjects: Adult; Female; Hepatitis A - epidemiology; Hepatitis A - immunology; Hepatitis A Antibodies; Hepatitis A Virus, Human - immunology; Hepatitis Antibodies - blood; Humans; Immunoglobulin G - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - immunology; Prevalence; Romania - epidemiology; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; Romania
• ISSN: 0048-7848

Few studies have been carried out to evaluate the role of hepatitis A virus (HAV) as an occupational hazard. Our analysis of data on occupational diseases in Romania showed that hepatitis ranks as one of the first among infectious occupational diseases. Data on the role of hepatitis A, as occupational disease, were obtained by testing sera obtained from different occupational groups and compared results with the degree of immunity found among the normal population. An ELISA technique was used to determine the presence of each hepatitis marker (Murex kits for anti-HAV IgG). The ratio of prevalence in each subset compared to the general population was used to express relative risk. The results of our study show that hepatitis A is an important hazard to sewerage workers. In view of these results, it should be considered whether the occupational differences alone account for the divergence in immunity between the groups or whether socioeconomic aspects and differences in the standard of hygiene are also responsible for HAV infections.