Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Gußmack, G.
Evidence of nosocomial transmission of hepatitis C in the region of West Styria
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] ; 2014. pp. 52
[OPEN ACCESS]
FullText
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Hübner Margit
- Kessler Harald
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: There are about 170 million people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. Up to 1992, HCV was mainly transmitted by blood and blood products but in about 30% of patients with chronic hepatitis C, the way of transmission is unknown. In the routine diagnostic laboratory, patients living in a region of West Styria were identified to be infected with HCV subgenotype 2a which is found to be rare in Austria. Objectives: To investigate the exposure to risk factors of HCV infection in a group of patients with HCV subgenotype 2a infection living or having lived for more than 10 years in a well-defined West Styrian region. To identify and discuss the most probable source of transmission in this group of patients. Materials and Methods: Patients were invited to fill out a questionnaire. Information about the patients’ exposure to risk factors especially those related to the health care system was collected. The patients were asked to report on procedures posing a risk of HCV transmission such as colonoscopy, gastroscopy, surgery, and blood transfusion and the location where the procedure(s) had been performed. Results: Of 23 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 16 patients participated in the study. All participants had been exposed to invasive procedures at health care institutions. The 3 health care settings, where the majority of patients had undergone procedures posing a risk of HCV transmission were identified: dentist A, urologist A, and anesthesia at hospital A. Of the 16 patients, 9 were exposed to invasive procedures at dentist A and 11 patients to invasive procedures at urologist A. 13 patients had at least one event that required general anesthesia at hospital A; however, the time period they had undergone anesthetic procedures was found to be more than 40 years. Conclusion: The majority of patients were exposed to invasive procedures at multiple health care settings. The number of patients that had one or more cystoscopies at urologist A was remarkable and may be the most probable source of transmission in this group of patients.