Six-Year Survey of Staff and Patient Hepatitis in a Renal Transplantation Unit

Abstract

During the period January 1966 through October 1970 35 staff cases of serum hepatitis have occurred in the Serafimer Hospital, Stockholm. 11% of 'exposed' staff members developed clinical symptoms of the disease, with prevalence in the postoperative department, the surgical wards and the transplantation and clinical chemistry laboratories. Mean time sick leave was 102 days. Of 88 kidney transplanted patients, the majority of which were previously treated with hemodialysis, 23 had liver affection. 17 of these were judged to be caused by serum hepatitis. Preventive measures such as protective gloves, disinfection, and improvements of laboratory routines were introduced. Prophylactic administration of gamma globulin to exposed personnel was discarded as an ineffective measure. A temporary cessation of transplantation and hemodialysis activities seemed to have some effect on the spread of the epidemic.