Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus during contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning.
We have investigated two cases of acute hepatitis C that occurred in patients who underwent digestive endoscopy and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scanning at two different centers. Investigations to identify the sources of infection included an on-site review of diagnostic procedures, interview of the involved healthcare staff, serological testing of the patients who underwent the procedures before and after the index cases and a molecular analysis of viral isolates from the patients and from potential viremic sources. In both cases, the epidemiological investigation identified a chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) carrier who had been subjected to CT-scanning immediately before the index patient. Genetic distance and molecular phylogenetic analyzes of HCV sequences showed a close relationship between the isolates from these carriers and those from the acute-hepatitis patients, strongly suggesting that patient-to-patient transmission had occurred during CT. This is the first report describing two well documented cases of HCV nosocomial patient-to-patient transmission during contrast-enhanced CT scanning.
Quer
Josep
J
Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Esteban
Juan-Ignacio
JI
Sánchez
Josep-Maria
JM
Otero
Teresa
T
Rius
Cristina
C
Coll
Mar
M
Cubero
Maria
M
Moreno
Gina
G
Gonzalez
Antonio
A
Vaque
Josep
J
Esteban
Rafael
R
Campins
Magda
M
Pañella
Helena
H
Guardia
Jaume
J
Martell
Maria
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D017757:Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects*