Nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C virus during contrast-enhanced computed tomography scanning

Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Jan;20(1):73-8. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0b013e32825b07b0.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Colonoscopy / adverse effects*
  • Cross Infection / transmission*
  • Equipment Contamination
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepatitis C / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / adverse effects*