PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - J H Kao
AU  - J Heptonstall
AU  - D S Chen
TI  - Molecular methods of measurement of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus infection: implications for occupational health practice.
AID  - 10.1136/oem.56.11.730
DP  - 1999 Nov 01
TA  - Occupational and Environmental Medicine
PG  - 730--734
VI  - 56
IP  - 11
4099  - http://oem.bmj.com/content/56/11/730.short
4100  - http://oem.bmj.com/content/56/11/730.full
SO  - Occup Environ Med1999 Nov 01; 56
AB  - Over the past decade, several molecular techniques for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been developed that have implications for occupational health practice. This review describes the techniques used for qualitative and quantitative detection of the viral genome, and briefly explains nucleic acid sequencing and analysis of phylogenetic trees. The review also discusses the current and potential uses of these techniques in investigations of transmission of bloodborne viruses by patient to worker and worker to patient, in the management of occupational exposure to blood, in research, and in the development of guidance and policy on infected healthcare workers who perform procedures prone to exposure.