title: Transmission of hepatitis C virus by needle-stick injury in community settings.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Discipline of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. phaber@mail.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Haber
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Lloyd
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dorrington
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaldor
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Kanzow
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Rawlinson
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral