Pilot study of postexposure prophylaxis for hepatitis C virus in healthcare workers.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission occurs in 0.2%-10% of people after accidental needlestick exposures. However, postexposure prophylaxis is not currently recommended. We sought to determine the safety, tolerability, and acceptance of postexposure prophylaxis with peginterferon alfa-2b in healthcare workers (HCWs) exposed to blood from HCV-infected patients.


METHODS
Open-label pilot trial of peginterferon alfa-2b for HCV postexposure prophylaxis.


METHODS
Two academic tertiary-referral centers.


METHODS
HCWs exposed to blood from HCV-infected patients were informed of the availability of postexposure prophylaxis. Persons who elected postexposure prophylaxis were given weekly doses of peginterferon alfa-2b for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Among 2,702 HCWs identified with potential exposures to bloodborne pathogens, 213 (7.9%) were exposed to an HCV antibody-positive source. Of 51 HCWs who enrolled in the study, 44 (86%) elected to undergo postexposure prophylaxis (treated group). Seven subjects elected not to undergo postexposure prophylaxis (untreated group). No cases of HCV transmission were observed in either the treated or untreated group, and no cases occurred in the remaining 162 HCWs who did not enroll in this study. No serious adverse events related to a peginterferon alfa-2b regimen were recorded, but minor adverse events were frequent.


CONCLUSIONS
In this pilot study, there was a lower than expected frequency of HCV transmission after accidental occupational exposure. Although peginterferon alfa-2b was safe, because of the lack of HCV transmission in either the treated or untreated groups there is little evidence to support routine postexposure prophylaxis against HCV in HCWs.
Corey
Kathleen E
KE
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Servoss
Julie C
JC
Casson
Deborah R
DR
Kim
Arthur Y
AY
Robbins
Gregory K
GK
Franzini
Jean
J
Twitchell
Katherine
K
Loomis
Susan C
SC
Abraczinskas
Diane R
DR
Terella
Adam M
AM
Dienstag
Jules L
JL
Chung
Raymond T
RT
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D006282:Health Personnel; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016602:Needlestick Injuries / Q000821:virology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b