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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Detection of hepatitis B virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Korean dental patients
Sun-A Lee1, So Young Yoo, Kee-Sung Kay
1Department of Prosthodontic Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwang-ju 501-759, Korea.
Abstract:
This study examined the detection rate of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in serum and saliva samples, respectively, from 120 dental patients who were unaware if they have or had either hepatitis or tuberculosis. The frequencies of HBsAg and anti-HBs were determined using an immunochromatic assay. Mtb positivity was determined by the PCR method. Of the 120 patients, 7 (5.8%) were HBV positive and 30 (25.0%) were Mtb positive. This highlights the fact that dental health care workers (DHCWs) can be exposed to the risk of infection from blood- or saliva-borne pathogens as a consequence of their work. Therefore, it is very important to prevent cross infection between patients and dental personnel. Accordingly, laboratory tests prior to surgical treatment are needed to determine the infectious state of dental patients in order to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases in dental clinics.
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