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Cerumen as a potential risk for transmission of Hepatitis B virus

Elaheh Gholami-Parizad1, Morovat Taherikalani, Noor-Amir Mozaffar-Sabet

  • 1Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

Acta Microbiologica Et Immunologica Hungarica
|July 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was detected in the earwax (cerumen) of most chronic Hepatitis B patients. This finding suggests cerumen may be a potential transmission route for HBV, indicating a high-risk factor.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is primarily transmitted through blood and body fluids.
  • The role of cerumen (earwax) in HBV transmission is not well-documented in existing literature.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of HBV DNA in cerumen samples from Hepatitis B patients.
  • To assess the potential of cerumen as a route for HBV transmission.

Main Methods:

  • Cerumen and blood samples were collected from 70 HBV-infected patients and 70 healthy controls.
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) were used for sample analysis.

Main Results:

  • HBV DNA was detected in 82.1% of cerumen samples from HBV patients and 7% of controls.
  • In three patients, HBV DNA levels in cerumen exceeded those in serum.
  • Higher rates of HBV DNA in serum and cerumen were observed in patients positive for Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg).

Conclusions:

  • Cerumen can harbor HBV DNA, suggesting it as a potential transmission factor.
  • The level of HBV DNA in cerumen may indicate a high risk of transmission in chronic Hepatitis B patients.

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