Asilos para ancianos. Población de alto riesgo para la hepatitis B? / [Homes for the aged. Are they a high risk population for hepatitis B?]

ABSTRACT

In a previous study we observed a high prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) among nurses and maids of the elders home at the Lincoln Town Hospital, Lincoln, province of Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic. The purpose of this study was to know the prevalence of infection with HBV and analyze the serologic pattern found in old people of the home. We studied 38 people of both sexes, older than 60 years, who live at the home. The control group was formed with 91 people with the same characteristics but from the ambulatory clinic. In both groups anti-HBc, anti-HBs and AgHBs were detected by ELISA method. Results were 3 subjects (7.9