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Objectives: Clinical laboratory health care workers can become infected through their occupation with blood-borne pathogens by percutanous injuries and mucocutaneous blood contacts such as cuts, needle sticks, splashes to mucous membranes or other body injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of, Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and some of the risk factors in medical laboratory health care workers. Methods: Through a descriptive cross sectional study, 203 participants employed in the clinical laboratories of the city of Isfahan, composed of medical laboratory technologists, technicians and cleaning staff were studied. Participant data were obtained through a self-reporting questionnaire and the level of anti-HCV antibody was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chi-square test was used to determine risk factors associated with infection. Results: The mean age of the individuals (n = 203) was 35.8 ± 9.54 years. There were 115 women (56.7%) and 88 men (43.3%). All of the subjects were negative for HCV Ab. Conclusions: Hepatitis C infection is infrequent in laboratory health care workers in Isfahan province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laboratory health care workers (HCWs) may become infected through their occupation with blood-borne pathogens. The aims of this study were determining the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the protection offered by HBV vaccine in medical laboratory HCWs. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 203 employers of clinical laboratories. Participant data were obtained through a questionnaire, and the level of antigens and antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: All of the subjects were negative for HBV infection. Forty-seven (23.2%) were not immune, 126 (62.0%) were relatively immune, and 30 (14.8%) were highly immune. Conclusion: Hepatitis B infection is infrequent in laboratory HCWs in Isfahan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]