Infectious liver diseases in three groups of Copenhagen workers: correlation of hepatitis A infection to sewage exposure

Arch Environ Health. 1981 May-Jun;36(3):139-43. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1981.10667618.

Abstract

Three groups of Copenhagen municipality male employees-77 sewer workers, 81 gardeners, and 79 clerks-matched for age and duration of employment, were studied for clinical and serological evidence of infection with viral hepatitis types A and B and pathogenic leptospires. "Antibody against hepatitis A virus" (anti-HAV) was found significantly more often among sewer workers (80.5%), than among gardeners (60.5%) or clerks (48.1%). The anti-HAV prevalence rates correlated with age rather than duration of employment. Of all the 11 cases of jaundice reported, only 3 cases (sewer workers) occurred while employed for the city. One case of the 11 resulted from leptospirosis. Anti-HAV was detected in the other 10 subjects and was assumed to be of etiological importance. Hepatitis B serological markers were similar in each group. It is concluded that exposure to metropolitan sewage provides a limited risk of enteric infections, such as hepatitis A, while the hepatitis B virus apparently is not successfully transmitted by this route.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Denmark
  • Hepatitis A / etiology*
  • Hepatitis A / immunology
  • Hepatitis B / etiology*
  • Hepatitis B / immunology
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / analysis
  • Humans
  • Leptospirosis / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Sewage*

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Sewage