Hepatitis D virus infection among prostitutes in Taiwan

Two hundred and sixty-three adult licensed, 233 adult and 157 teenage unlicensed prostitutes from Taiwan were studied for prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection. The hepatitis B carrier rate among the three groups was 21, 15 and 20%, respectively, not significantly different from that of the general population in this area. However, the prevalence of HDV infection among carrier prostitutes was 55, 36 and 16%, respectively, much higher than that in general hepatitis B carriers. Univariate analysis revealed that the history of conducting paid sex for more than 12 months (P≤ 0.03), ear-piercing (P≤ 0.02), tattooing (P≤ 0.02), and gonorrhoea or syphilis (P≤ 0.005) were significant factors associated with HDV infection among these subjects. Multivariate analysis revealed that the history of ear-piercing and venereal diseases (P≤ 0.001) were still significant. In summary, genital ulcers caused by venereal diseases due to frequent sexual contact with multiple partners, and use of unsterilized needles in ear-piercing or tattooing play important roles in the high prevalence of HDV infection in prostitutes.     

装饰性身体打孔的并发症：耳廓饰物迟发性过敏合并感染1例并文献复习

目的总结装饰性身体打孔的习俗及并发症,提出预防并发症的有效方法。方法回顾分析1例耳廓饰物导致的迟发性过敏合并感染的临床资料,并进行文献复习。结果急性耳廓饰物并发症的发生与所用器械不当、未执行正规严密的消毒方法、从业人员缺乏基本的从业前训练、在青少年未成熟的耳廓上打孔等有关;迟发型过敏及感染与打孔穿过耳廓软骨区及不纯材质的饰物粒子缓慢释放有密切关系。结论耳廓打孔前要了解自己的体质状况,耳垂是比较安全的耳廓打孔区,合金耳环易产生并发症。     

A study of anti-hepatitis C positive blood donors: the first year of screening

SUMMARY. In the U.K., blood donations have been routinely screened for anti-HCV since September 1991. In order to get the most epidemiological benefit from these extensive screening data, the histories obtained at counselling from donors confirmed to be anti-HCV positive, 'indeterminate' and falsely positive have been analysed in detail. In addition, the associations with potential risk factors have been investigated by comparing these groups of donors with a control group of 771 routine donors bled on one day during the study, at North London Blood Transfusion Centre. This paper documents the prevalence and demography of HCV infection in asymptomatic blood donors, to assess varicus possible sources of infection and the association between liver function test results and alcohol consumption in donors. One in 1400 previously untested donors was confirmed positive for anti-HCV. Age (the group 30–49 years being highest), tattooing and intravenous drug use in both sexes, ear-piercing in males and blood transfusion in females were all significantly associated with an increased risk of HCV infection. Intravenous drug use proved to be the factor most strongly associated with risk. Liver function tests (alanine aminotransferase) were elevated in a significant number of donors confirmed to be anti-HCV positive but no clear correlation between alanine aminotransferase level and either time since infection or alcohol consumption was found. Alcohol consumption was significantly higher in donors confirmed to be anti-HCV positive and was particularly marked in those admitting to previous intravenous drug use. Although donors confirmed to be anti-HCV positive had a 5–10 times greater chance of non-Caucasian ethnic origin compared with controls, the association with ethnic origin was not as marked as it was for HBsAg positive donors.     

装饰性身体打孔的并发症:耳廓饰物迟发性过敏合并感染1例并文献复习

目的总结装饰性身体打孔的习俗及并发症,提出预防并发症的有效方法。方法回顾分析1例耳廓饰物导致的迟发性过敏合并感染的临床资料,并进行文献复习。结果急性耳廓饰物并发症的发生与所用器械不当、未执行正规严密的消毒方法、从业人员缺乏基本的从业前训练、在青少年未成熟的耳廓上打孔等有关;迟发型过敏及感染与打孔穿过耳廓软骨区及不纯材质的饰物粒子缓慢释放有密切关系。结论耳廓打孔前要了解自己的体质状况,耳垂是比较安全的耳廓打孔区,合金耳环易产生并发症。