[Viral hepatitis B markers in physicians and medical personnel in the Rhein-Main region]

HBs antigen, anti HBs and anti HBc were determined radioimmunologically on 314 medical students, 585 doctors, 151 medical laboratory personnel and 307 nursing staff. Hepatitis B markers were present in 5.1% of medical students, 23.4% of doctors, 17.9% of laboratory personnel and 18.6% nursing staff. In the different groups there were up to 1.3% HBs antigen-positive persons. A large majority of persons with signs of previous hepatitis B infection had concentrations of both antibodies (anti-HBs and anti-HBc). Between 0.6 and 5.5% of persons were merely anti-HBc positive. Among doctors the number of positive results increased with age and professional exposure, no age dependence as to seropositive or seronegative being found in the other groups. None of the persons tested had been aware of a preceding hepatitis infection. These results indicate that doctors and medical personnel even today are at risk of an undetected viral hepatitis B.