Detection of Hepatitis C Virus in Saliva Before and After Scaling of Dental Calculus

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  • NAGAO Yumiko
    Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University School of Medicine Department of Oral Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine
  • SEKI Naoko
    Department of Oral Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine
  • TAMATSUKURI Shigeru
    Roche Diagnostics, K. K., Department of PCR Development 200 Kajiwara
  • SATA Michio
    Research Center for Innovative Cancer Therapy, Kurume University School of Medicine Second Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine Kurume University School of Medicine

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  • HCV感染者の歯石除去前後の唾液におけるHCV RNAの検出

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Abstract

Dentists and dental health care workers are at risk of contracting hepatitis C virus (HCV) through dental treatment, since HCV RNA was reported to be easily detectable in the saliva of patients with chronic HCV liver disease. We tested for the presence of HCV RNA in saliva before and after removal of dental calculus, and in splashes on the chin-length face shields of dentists following treatment of six patients with HCV chronic liver diseases. We used a sensitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method, to estimate exposure to HCV. All patients were anti-HCV and HCV RNA seropositive. HCV RNAs in saliva before or after scaling treatment were detected in three of the six, but none of the face shields showed positive samples.<BR>In conclusion, dentists and dental health care workers should be aware of the possibility of HCV infection via contact with serum and saliva during dental practice.

Journal

  • Kansenshogaku Zasshi

    Kansenshogaku Zasshi 74 (11), 961-965, 2000

    The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases

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