Biomaterial Database

Hepatitis B surface antigen in human tears. 1978

R W Darrell, and G B Jacob

The incidence of hepatitis B virus infection has been increasing every year in the United States, particularly among medical personnel. Only half of these cases are associated with exposure to blood or blood products. Respiratory, fecal-oral, and venereal methods of transmission of hepatitis B virus infection are supported by epidemiological evidence and by the demonstration of hepatitis B surface (HBsAg) antigen in several body secretions. In this investigation, tears were collected from patients whose serum was positive for HBsAg. These tears were tested for the same antigen, which was found to be present in half the cases. There is a risk of transferring hepatitis B virus infection by tonometers or soft contact lenses contaminated by HBsAg.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007223	Infant	A child between 1 and 23 months of age.	Infants
D007231	Infant, Newborn	An infant during the first 28 days after birth.	Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D001826	Body Fluids	Liquid components of living organisms.	Body Fluid,Fluid, Body,Fluids, Body
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D003263	Contact Lenses, Hydrophilic	Soft, supple contact lenses made of plastic polymers which interact readily with water molecules. Many types are available, including continuous and extended-wear versions, which are gas-permeable and easily sterilized.	Lenses, Contact, Hydrophilic,Soft Contact Lenses,Hydrophilic Contact Lens,Soft Contact Lens,Contact Lens, Hydrophilic,Contact Lens, Soft,Contact Lenses, Soft,Hydrophilic Contact Lenses,Lens, Hydrophilic Contact,Lens, Soft Contact,Lenses, Hydrophilic Contact,Lenses, Soft Contact
D005260	Female		Females
D006281	Health Occupations	Professions or other business activities directed to the cure and prevention of disease. For occupations of medical personnel who are not physicians but who are working in the fields of medical technology, physical therapy, etc., ALLIED HEALTH OCCUPATIONS is available.	Health Professions,Health Occupation,Health Profession,Profession, Health,Professions, Health