[Hepatitis B: role of chronic asymptomatic HBsAg carrier health personnel in the spread of the infection].

Using radioimmunoassay (RIA) we discovered 8 chronic healthy carriers of HBsAg among 1,370 sanitary workers in our hospital (0.58%) and we studied, also with RIA, their immunological profile. We have also made an epidemiological and immunological study of their family contacts. Comparing the results of both studies, we emphasize the significance of some immunological markers of these carriers, especially the HBe/anti-HBe system, in the evaluation of potential infective danger to their contacts. On the other hand, the results of our study reveal that the infection risk from the carriers of HBsAg is very slight by extra-hematic way. We correlate this smaller infectivity with HBe antigen absence and anti-HBe antibody presence in their serum. Finally, based on the results of the study, some prophylactic measures are proposed and certain social and working considerations are discussed concerning the health-care workers as chronic asymptomatic carriers of HBsAg.