Hepatitis B infection in physicians. Results of a nationwide seroepidemiologic survey

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Abstract
To define the epidemiologic features of occupationally acquired hepatitis B infection among physicians, a seroepidemiologic survey of physicians attending 3 American Medical Association conventions in 1975 and 1976 was conducted. Of 1192 participating physicians, 220 (18.5%) had serologic evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection (positive hepatitis B surface antibody). The infection rate was higher among those practicing in urban communities; it increased with the number of years in practice, and among specialties, it was highest in pathologists (27%) and surgeons (28%). The serologic data demonstrated a changing pattern of viral hepatitis related to entry into the medical profession, while hepatitis B accounting for a majority of clinical hepatitis experienced after beginning medical practice.

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