A prospective study of hepatitis C virus infection after needlestick accidents.
There have been few prospective studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after needlestick accidents in hospital employees. In the present study, the prevalence and features of HCV infection after needlestick accidents were evaluated prospectively measuring serum HCV-RNA. Subjects were 56 employees who had HCV needlestick accidents. To monitor the development of hepatitis, the serum ALT levels and HCV-related seromarkers, such as first generation anti-HCV (RIA), second generation anti-HCV (PHA) and HCV-RNA (RT-PCR) were measured every month for at least 12 months after the accidents. Three of 56 (5.4%) recipients developed HCV infection. HCV-RNA was detected in all three recipients within 4 months after the exposure, and second-generation HCV antibody was detected in two of three recipients. The detection of HCV-RNA was earlier than that of HCV antibody. Two of three HCV-infected recipients developed type C acute hepatitis and one of two received interferon therapy; however, the other case received no medication. The detection of HCV-related seromarkers and the elevation of ALT levels were transient in these three recipients: thus, none developed chronic hepatitis. In conclusion, HCV infection developed in 5.4% of recipients within 4 months after HCV accidents. All of these HCV-infected recipients showed fair prognosis. HCV-RNA was a beneficial parameter for early detection of HCV infection.
Arai
Y
Y
Department of Gastroenterology, Osaka Rosai Hospital, Japan.
Noda
K
K
Enomoto
N
N
Arai
K
K
Yamada
Y
Y
Suzuki
K
K
Yoshihara
H
H
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons