[Epidemiological study of hepatitis B and C in 34,336 patients operated at Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital during the period from 1993 to 2000].

Background: We have many chances to deal with blood transfusion in the operation room, and it is important for us to pay more attention to prevent hospital infection.

Methods: We surveyed epidemiologically the prevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBV) and hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV) in 34,336 patients operated at Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital from April 1993 through March 2001.

Results: The prevalence of HBV seropositivity was 1.8% in total, 1.6% in scheduled, and 2.5% in emergent cases. The prevalence of HCV seropositivity was 7.1% in total, 6.8% in scheduled, and 8.0% in emergent cases. Prevalences of both of them in emergent cases were higher than scheduled. The prevalence of HBV was highest (3.4%) in patients with age of 40's, and the prevalence of HCV increased with age. The prevalences of HBV and HCV were highest (4.5% and 19.0%) in the division of surgery and dialysis-kidney disease center.

Conclusions: It is important to carry out standard precautions for all patients to prevent hospital infection. Furthermore, we should pay attention to emergent operative cases and operative cases in dialyzed patients.