Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus during contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning
Josep Quer, Juan-Ignacio Esteban, Josep-Maria Sánchez, Teresa Otero, Cristina Rius, Mar Coll, Maria Cubero, Gina Moreno, Antonio Gonzalez, Josep Vaque, Rafael Esteban, Magda Campins, Helena Pañella, Jaume Guardia, Maria Martell
European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2008, 20 (1): 73-8
18090995
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.
Full Text Links
Find Full Text Links for this Article
You are not logged in. Sign Up or Log In to join the discussion.