Decreasing occupational risk related to blood-borne viruses in cardiovascular surgery in Paris, France

Background. Surgeons face the risk of patient-to-physician transmission of blood-borne viruses. This risk is related to the seroprevalence of the viruses in the patient population. Methods. The seroprevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus were determined in cardiovascular patients at Hôpital Broussais in Paris, France, over a 5-year period (1994 to 1998). Results. Hepatitis C virus is the most prevalent virus in the patient population, whereas human immunodeficiency virus is the least frequent. The seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus has decreased over time, whereas hepatitis B virus has remained constant. We apply the seroprevalence data to a mathematical model to estimate the occupational risk of seroconversion faced by surgeons over the length of their career. Our results show that the principal risk faced by the surgeon arises from hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. The decreasing seroprevalence of the hepatitis C virus has resulted in a decrease in the occupational risk. Conclusions. The probability of becoming infected with a blood-borne virus over the career of the surgeon is notable. The greatest occupational risk to the surgeon is from the hepatitis viruses and not HIV.