Hepatitis B in the Cambridge dialysis and transplant unit 1966-1983

The results of hepatitis B surveillance of the Cambridge dialysis and transplant units from June 1969 to July 1983 are reported. On admission 34/528 (6.44%) haemodialysis patients had anti-HBc. Preadmission screening excluded 19 HBs Ag carrier patients and two carrier staff. Eight patients became antigenaemic after admission and two others were found to be antigenaemic post-transplantation but pretransplant sera were not available from them. These two had active hepatitis and of the others, seven had asymptomatic carriage and one had acute hepatitis during haemodialysis. Two infected patients were admitted temporarily and one antigenaemic organ donor identified retrospectively. No cross infection occurred on the unit and the only instance of accidental infection of a member of staff was from an outpatient.