Infection by hepatitis C virus through contaminated intravenous immune globulin: results of a prospective national inquiry in France.
BACKGROUND
A recent hepatitis C virus (HCV) outbreak has been suspected of being caused by an infusion of intravenous immune globulin.


METHODS
Three laboratories were mandated by the French regulatory agency to prospectively screen on a national scale those persons having received suspected batches: 233 exposed patients were recalled and tested for HCV antibody and for HCV RNA.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients (8.1%) were found positive for HCV RNA; 7 of these 19 were positive for the HCV antibody.


CONCLUSIONS
The link between HCV infection and intravenous immune globulin was reinforced by the overrepresentation of the 2b genotype (58%), which contrasts with the low prevalence of this genotype in France (1%).
Lefrère
J J
JJ
Institut National de Transfusion Sanguine, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
Loiseau
P
P
Martinot-Peignoux
M
M
Mariotti
M
M
Ravera
N
N
Thauvin
M
M
Marcellin
P
P
Janot
C
C
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D002648:Child; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D012367:RNA, Viral