In an article published on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes two separate cases of health care–associated hepatitis C virus infection, highlighting the importance of hepatitis C surveillance.
Case study 1
In March 2010, a health care worker — patient A — underwent a procedure at the facility where she worked. A month later, she sought care at the same facility with jaundice, anorexia and abdominal discomfort. Laboratory test results showed a positive HCV enzyme immunoassay result. The New Jersey Department of Health investigated the potential for HCV transmission during the patient's surgical procedure and other healthcare encounters. Patient A reported no potential occupational exposure to HCV.
Review of records of all patients who had surgical procedures at the facility before patient A's initial procedure showed one patient — patient B — with an HCV infection. Further analysis showed that patient B was the source of transmission to patient A.
Patients A and B had the same anesthesiologist, who performed procedures that can result in HCV transmission.
Case study 2
In June 2011, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health was notified of a patient with HCV-4 infection. HCV-4 infections typically occur in the Middle East and Africa and are not commonly documented in Wisconsin. The patient — patient one —underwent hemodialysis for approximately one year until he received a single transplanted kidney in 2009 at hospital A.
WDPH staff members initially focused on the renal transplant procedure and contacted the United Network for Organ Sharing for donor information. The organization told the WDPH that the donor's liver and second kidney were procured and shipped to hospital A to be transplanted into another patient — patient two.
Patient two had a history of liver failure resulting from chronic HCV-4 infection, chronic renal disease requiring hemodialysis and insulin-dependent diabetes. In 2009, patients one and two had received organ transplants simultaneously in adjacent operating rooms. Laboratory and epidemiologic evidence indicated that patient 2, not the organ donor, was the likely source of patient 1's HCV-4 infection.
These case studies indicate that partnerships and communication between public health and healthcare professionals is essential to ensure that basic infection control and injection safety practices are optimized wherever healthcare is delivered, noted the article authors.
More articles on GI/endoscopy:
ACG launches new award for CRC awareness month
7 things for gastroenterologists to know for today
Dr. Heidi Huck joins Sarah Bush Lincoln medical team