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Tattooing and hepatitis B infection
V J Sebastian1, S Ray, S Bhattacharya
1Department of Medicine, Suri Seri Begawan Hospital, Kuala Belait, Brunei Darussalam.
Insights
Tattooed individuals show a significantly higher prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier status compared to non-tattooed individuals. This study highlights a potential risk associated with tattooing practices regarding HBV transmission.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant global health concern.
- Tattooing involves skin penetration, raising questions about potential transmission routes for blood-borne pathogens like HBV.
- Understanding the prevalence of HBV carrier status in specific populations is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity in healthy individuals with tattoos.
- To compare HBV carrier status between tattooed and non-tattooed populations.
- To identify potential demographic factors influencing HBV prevalence in relation to tattooing.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 200 healthy tattooed volunteers.
- A control group of 200 non-tattooed volunteers matched for age, sex, and ethnic group.
- Screening for HBsAg in all participants to determine HBV carrier status.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant higher prevalence of HBsAg was observed in the tattooed group (19.5%) compared to the non-tattooed group (9%).
- The difference in prevalence between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01).
- No significant differences in HBV prevalence were found across various age groups, ethnic groups, or sexes within the studied populations.
Conclusions:
- Tattooing is associated with an increased risk of Hepatitis B virus carrier status.
- The findings suggest that tattooing procedures may serve as a potential route for HBV transmission.
- Further research into tattooing safety practices and HBV screening is warranted.
Abstract:
To determine the prevalence of HBV carrier status in tattooed persons, 200 healthy, tattooed volunteers and 200 non-tattooed volunteers to match the first group for age, sex and ethnic group were screened. Prevalence of HBsAg in tattooed and non-tattooed volunteers was 19.5 and 9% respectively, which was a statistically significant difference (P less than 0.01). There was no difference in the prevalence in various age groups, ethnic groups, or sex, between the two groups.