Investigations on the risk of virus infection in dental surgery. Preliminary data.

Four virus strains -- influenza A/Texas 1/77 (H3N2) an A/USSR 90/77 (H1N1), adenovirus and parainfluenza type 2 -- were isolated from different specimens collected in dental surgery rooms. High levels of antibodies to respiratory viruses (influenza, parainfluenza 1, 2 and 3), adeno-, cytomegalic and herpes viruses, as well as the presence of HBsAg and anti-HBs could be detected in sera from patients hospitalized for dento-maxillofacial surgery. An epidemiological survey among dentists and dental assistants confirmed their exposure to an enhanced risk of occupational virus contamination, as compared with other categories of medical personnel.