Risk of needle-stick injuries in the transmission of hepatitis C virus in hospital personnel

J Hepatol. 1992 Sep;16(1-2):56-8. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8278(05)80094-7.

Abstract

To assess the risk to hospital personnel of acquiring an hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a result of occupational exposure to needle-stick injuries, 81 employees who had parenteral exposure to an anti-HCV-positive source were followed for 12 months. None developed hepatitis and anti-HCV testing by a second-generation ELISA system of serum samples collected on the day of exposure and at 3, 6 and 12 months was negative. Consequently, a low efficacy of needle-stick injuries in the transmission of HCV in hospital personnel may be suggested.

MeSH terms

  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hepatitis C / transmission*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Needlestick Injuries / complications*
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*
  • Personnel, Hospital*
  • Risk Factors