Hospital admission is a relevant source of hepatitis C virus acquisition in Spain.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

Isolated cases of acute hepatitis C, as well as hepatitis C outbreaks transmitted by health-care related procedures, have drawn attention to nosocomial transmission of HCV. The aim of this study was to investigate the current relevance of nosocomial HCV infection.

METHODS:

For this purpose, we performed a retrospective epidemiological analysis of all cases of acute hepatitis C diagnosed in 18 Spanish hospitals. Between 1998 and 2005, 109 cases were documented.

RESULTS:

The most relevant risk factors registered during the 6-month period preceding the diagnosis of acute hepatitis C were: hospital admission in 73 (67%) cases, intravenous drug use in 9 (8%), accidental needlestick injury in 7 (6%) and sexual contact in 6 (5%). Among the 73 patients in whom hospital admission was the only risk factor, 33 underwent surgery and 24 were admitted to a medical emergency unit or a medical ward; the remaining 16 patients underwent an invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedure. Sixty two patients underwent antiviral therapy and 51 (82%) achieved a sustained virological response. In 47 patients treatment was not indicated (in 24 due to spontaneous resolution of HCV infection).

CONCLUSIONS:

In most patients with acute hepatitis C the only documented risk factor associated with the infection is hospital admission. These results stress the need for strict adherence to universal precaution measures. Fortunately, most cases of acute hepatitis C either resolve spontaneously or after antiviral therapy.

• Authors: Eva Martínez-Bauer, Xavier Forns, Mercé Armelles, Ramon Planas, Ricard Solà, Mercé Vergara, Silvia Fàbregas, Roser Vega, Javier Salmerón, Moisés Diago, Jose María Sánchez-Tapias, Miquel Bruguera, Spanish Acute HCV Study Group
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 48 Issue 1 Pg. 20-7 (Jan 2008) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 17998149 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Multicenter Study)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• RNA, Viral

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cross Infection (epidemiology)
• Emergency Medical Services
• Female
• Hepacivirus (genetics)
• Hepatitis C (epidemiology, therapy, transmission)
• Hospitalization (statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Liver Function Tests
• Male
• Middle Aged
• RNA, Viral (genetics)
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Spain (epidemiology)
• Surgical Procedures, Operative
• Treatment Outcome
• Viral Load