Transmission of hepatitis C virus by needle-stick injury in community settings.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
All needle-stick injuries should be promptly investigated by serology and HCV-PCR.
Haber
Paul S
PS
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Discipline of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. phaber@mail.usyd.edu.au
Young
Margaret M
MM
Dorrington
Lloyd
L
Jones
Andrew
A
Kaldor
John
J
De Kanzow
Sophie
S
Rawlinson
William D
WD
D000059:Accidents; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles / Q000821:virology*; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013997:Time Factors
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral