Risk of needle-stick injuries in the transmission of hepatitis C virus in hospital personnel.
To assess the risk to hospital personnel of acquiring an hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a result of occupational exposure to needle-stick injuries, 81 employees who had parenteral exposure to an anti-HCV-positive source were followed for 12 months. None developed hepatitis and anti-HCV testing by a second-generation ELISA system of serum samples collected on the day of exposure and at 3, 6 and 12 months was negative. Consequently, a low efficacy of needle-stick injuries in the transmission of HCV in hospital personnel may be suggested.
Hernandez
M E
ME
Occupational Medical Service, Hospital Clĭnic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain.
Bruguera
M
M
Puyuelo
T
T
Barrera
J M
JM
Sanchez Tapias
J M
JM
Rodés
J
J
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D012307:Risk Factors