Nail scissors and fingernails as reservoirs of hepatitis B virus DNA: Role of nail scissors in household transmission of hepatitis B virus.

BACKGROUND

No study in the current literature has scientifically clarified the transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) via personal hygiene tools. We determined risk of household transmission of HBV via nail scissors. Moreover, we assessed whether nails from HBV-infected people contained HBV, and evaluated correlations of HBV DNA levels of serum, nail specimens, and nail scissors.

METHODS

Seventy patients testing positive for the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (63 positive for HBV DNA) treated for HBV infection and 27 healthy individuals were included. Real-time polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect HBV DNA levels in sera, nail, and nail scissors.

RESULTS

HBV DNA was detected on 27% of nail scissors and in 50% of nail specimens from 63 serum HBV DNA-positive patients. Serum HBV DNA level >105 IU/mL was associated with 71.8% probability of nail scissors being HBV DNA-positive (P < .05). Serum HBV DNA level >107 IU/mL was associated with 71.5% probability of fingernails being HBV DNA-positive (P > .05). Shared-use of nail scissors was correlated with surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus positivity and total hepatitis B core antibody/immunoglobulin G positivity. A high HBV DNA level was detected in nail scissors and low level HBV DNA in the nails of persons with high serum HBV DNA levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Nail scissors, shared-use of nail scissors, and duration of shared use play important roles in household transmission of HBV. Level of education within society in this regard should be increased via mass media.