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Transmission of hepatitis C virus by needle‐stick injury in community settings
Author(s) -
Haber Paul S,
Young Margaret M,
Dorrington Lloyd,
Jones Andrew,
Kaldor John,
De Kanzow Sophie,
Rawlinson William D
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2006.04568.x
Subject(s) - medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , virology , hepatitis c virus , virus , telecommunications , computer science
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is predominantly transmitted by blood‐to‐blood contact, typically by sharing of needles by injecting drug users. Discarded needles could act as a vector for transmission of this infection. Methods: Two cases of HCV seroconversion following a needle‐stick injury in a community setting were identified. The effects of specimen processing and storage conditions on detection of HCV RNA were assessed to provide information about the likelihood of discarded needles containing infectious HCV. Results: Consistent with a role for discarded needles in viral transmission, in vitro studies demonstrated that viral load declined by less than one log following storage for 24 h. Conclusion: All needle‐stick injuries should be promptly investigated by serology and HCV‐PCR.