Pseudo-outbreak of hepatitis B virus infection associated with contamination of a semiautomatic cap remover

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2006 Nov;27(11):1258-60. doi: 10.1086/508844. Epub 2006 Oct 20.

Abstract

A pseudo-outbreak of hepatitis B virus caused by cross-contamination from a semiautomatic cap remover for blood collection tubes is reported. The source of the outbreak was elucidated by using basic epidemiological methods. Laboratories should always be critical about their results in order to identify contamination problems.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Specimen Collection / instrumentation*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Equipment Contamination*
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis B / virology
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / blood
  • Hepatitis B virus / isolation & purification
  • Humans

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens