title: Nosocomial transmission of HCV in a cardiology ward during the window phase of infection: an epidemiological and molecular investigation.
abstract: Nosocomial spread of HCV and other blood-borne pathogens continues to occur in the Western world despite the screening of blood products. Using molecular and epidemiological methods we investigated an outbreak of HCV involving 3 patients following percutaneous coronary intervention at a Swedish hospital. The most likely mode of transmission was contamination of a multidose vial of saline used for the flushing of intravenous catheters. It may, therefore, be prudent to restrict the use of such vials, in addition to promoting vigorous adherence to standard hygiene procedures in order to prevent the recurrence of similar outbreaks in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Göteborg University, Sweden. martin.lagging@medfak.gu.se
authors.forename: L Martin
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Lagging
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aneman
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nenonen
authors.forename: Ake
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brandberg
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grip
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Norkrans
authors.forename: Magnus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindh
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001483:Base Sequence; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies