Frequency of Detectable HBsAg in Fluid Adherent to the Endoscope, Gastric Juice, and Saliva Collected during Endoscopy in Patients Positive for HBsAg

Gastric juice, saliva, and fluid adherent to the endoscope were collected from 50 patients who were seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract, and examined for HBsAg, using the radioimmunoassay. A positive test was obtained from 42.0% of the saliva samples, in 32.0% of the gastric juice specimens, and in 31.3% of the fluid adherent to the scope. These results should be taken as a warning, that calls for a more careful screening of the patients and disinfection of the endoscope.