M I Garvey1, C W Bradley2, K L Holden2, P Hewins2, S-L Ngui3, R Tedder3, P Jumaa2, E Smit4. 1. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. Electronic address: mark.garvey@uhb.nhs.uk. 2. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. 3. Blood Borne Virus Unit, Microbiology Service Colindale, Public Health England, London, UK. 4. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK; Public Health England Birmingham Laboratory, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health burden worldwide. A patient with no history of HCV infection while on a renal unit was found to seroconvert to HCV. AIM: To report the use of sequencing to postulate how transmission of HCV occurred in a healthcare setting, and how this guided our outbreak investigation. FINDINGS: Based on infection control inspections the transmission event was surmised to be due to ward environmental contamination with blood and subsequent inoculation from intravenous interventions on the patient acquiring HCV. We discuss the interventions put in place in response to the outbreak investigation findings. CONCLUSION: Sequencing of healthcare-acquired HCV infections should be undertaken as routine practice in outbreak investigations.
BACKGROUND:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health burden worldwide. A patient with no history of HCV infection while on a renal unit was found to seroconvert to HCV. AIM: To report the use of sequencing to postulate how transmission of HCV occurred in a healthcare setting, and how this guided our outbreak investigation. FINDINGS: Based on infection control inspections the transmission event was surmised to be due to ward environmental contamination with blood and subsequent inoculation from intravenous interventions on the patient acquiring HCV. We discuss the interventions put in place in response to the outbreak investigation findings. CONCLUSION: Sequencing of healthcare-acquired HCV infections should be undertaken as routine practice in outbreak investigations.