PMID: 7541304May 1, 1995Paper

Presence of anti-hepatitis C virus serum markers in a dental school patient population

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics
T ShopperG Lundgren

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has joined the list of infections liver diseases of which the practicing dentist must be aware. This recently described RNA virus causes between 20% to 40% of reported cases of viral hepatitis in the United States. Patients with HCV show symptoms only one quarter of the time, but chronicity is maintained longer than with the other liver infections. The major mode of transmission is percutaneous, so dentists are potentially at risk to contact the virus. To assess the presence of exposure to HCV, a total of 500 dental school patients were screened for serum antibody to this virus (second-generation anti-HCV). In addition, participants were required to fill out a special screening questionnaire designed to indicate high-risk groups. Their serum was also analyzed for serum chemistries known to be associated with acute and chronic liver disease. Analysis of the 15 response questionnaires revealed statistical significance relating to questions inquiring about previous exposure to blood (transfusions, surgical procedures, etc) but little significance relating to lifestyle. In either case responses were not of practical predictive value. More than 5% of our sample patients were found to be positive reactors to a...Continue Reading

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.