title: A case of hepatitis C virus transmission acquired through sharing a haemodialysis machine.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant problem among haemodialysis populations worldwide. 'Horizontal' cross-infection between patients can occur, predominately through direct environmental transmission of the virus. Current guidelines thus recommend universal barrier precautions, however they do not suggest using dedicated machines for HCV-positive patients to prevent the 'sequential' transmission of virus to those who subsequently use that machine. We report a case where sequential HCV transmission occurred from a patient of low HCV infectivity with no identifiable machine fault. We suggest that current guidelines should be reviewed to encourage the use of dedicated haemodialysis machines for HCV-positive patients.
authors.affiliation: Renal Unit , Glasgow Royal Infirmary , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.affiliation: Infection Control NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology , Gartnavel General Hospital , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aitken
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular Medical Sciences , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular Medical Sciences , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , UK.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wysocka
authors.affiliation: School of Molecular Medical Sciences , University of Nottingham , Nottingham , UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Renal Unit , Western Infirmary Glasgow , Glasgow , UK.
authors.forename: R Stuart
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rodger
keywords: haemodialysis; hepatitis; infection