Increased risk of transmission of hepatitis C in open heart surgery compared with vascular and pulmonary surgery

Risk of parenterally transmitted hepatitis following exposure to invasive procedures in Italy: SEIEVA surveillance 2000-2021

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Surgical interventions and invasive diagnostic/therapeutic procedures are known routes of transmission of viral hepatitis. Using data from the Italian surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA), the aim of this study was to investigate the association between specific types of invasive procedures and the risk of acute HBV and HCV infections.

METHODS

Data from SEIEVA (period 2000-2021) were used. The association between acute HBV and HCV infection and potential risk factors, i.e. surgical interventions and diagnostic/therapeutic procedures (given according to the ICD-9-CM classification), was investigated in comparison to age-matched hepatitis A cases, used as controls, by conditional multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 8,176 cases with acute HBV, 2,179 with acute HCV, and the respective age-matched controls with acute HAV infection were selected for the main analysis. Most of the procedures evaluated were associated with the risk of acquiring HBV or HCV. The strongest associations for HBV infection were: gynaecological surgery (odds ratio [OR] 5.19; 95% CI 1.12-24.05), otorhinolaryngological surgery (OR 3.78; 95% CI 1.76-8.09), and cardiac/thoracic surgery (OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.34-9.23); while for HCV infection, they were: neurosurgery (OR 11.88; 95% CI 2.40-58.85), otorhinolaryngological surgery (OR 11.54; 95% CI 2.55-52.24), and vascular surgery (OR 9.52; 95% CI 3.25-27.87). Hepatitis C was also strongly associated with ophthalmological surgery (OR 8.32; 95% CI 2.24-30.92). Biopsy and/or endoscopic procedures were significantly associated with both HCV (OR 3.84; 95% CI 2.47-5.95) and, to a lesser extent, HBV infection (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.16-1.90).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the progress made in recent years, invasive procedures still represent a significant risk factor for acquiring parenterally transmitted hepatitis viruses, thus explaining the still numerous and unexpected cases diagnosed among the elderly population in Italy. Our results underline the importance of observing universal precautions to control the iatrogenic transmission of hepatitis viruses.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

Cases of parenterally transmitted acute viral hepatitis in the elderly population, that are difficult to explain based on the most widely recognised risk factors, continue to be diagnosed in Italy. Based on the Italian SEIEVA surveillance of acute viral hepatitis data, this study highlights an increased risk of acquiring hepatitis B and C following exposure to invasive procedures, which might explain the observed cases in elderly individuals. Furthermore, this finding emphasises the need to observe universal precautions strictly, in healthcare settings, including in the case of minor surgical procedures.

The Prevalence of Blood-Borne Pathogens in Maxillofacial Trauma Patients

BACKGROUND

Blood-borne pathogen infections (BPIs), caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C and hepatitis B viruses pose an occupational hazard to healthcare workers. Facial trauma reconstruction surgeons may be at elevated risk because of routine use of sharps, and a higher than average incidence of BPIs in the trauma patient population.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed health records of patients admitted to a level 1 trauma center with a facial fracture between January 2010 and December 2015. Patient demographics, medical history, mechanism of injury, type of fracture, and procedures performed were documented. The authors detemined the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C diagnosis and utilized univariable/multivariable analyses to identify risk factors associated with infection in this population.

RESULTS

In total, 4608 consecutive patients were included. Infections were found in 4.8% (n = 219) of patients (human immunodeficiency virus 1.6%, hepatitis C 3.3%, hepatitis B 0.8%). 76.3% of BPI patients in this cohort were identified by medical history, while 23.7% were diagnosed by serology following initiation of care. 39.0% of all patients received surgical treatment during initial hospitalization, of whom 4.3% had a diagnosed BPI. History of intravenous drug use (odds ratio [OR] 6.79, P < 0.001), assault-related injury (OR 1.61, P = 0.003), positive toxicology screen (OR 1.56, P = 0.004), and male gender (OR 1.53, P = 0.037) were significantly associated with a BPI diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Patients presenting with facial fractures commonly harbor a BPI. The benefit of early diagnosis and risk to surgical staff may justify routine screening for BPI in high risk facial trauma patients (male, assault-related injury, and history of intravenous drug use).

Highlights for Dental Care as a Hepatitis C Risk Factor: A Review of Literature

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral infection that affects an estimated 71 million people worldwide, with over 1 million new infections yearly. While medical treatments exist, HCV continues to be a significant public health concern. Primary prevention and transmission risk factor identification remain key in helping decrease disease prevalence. While intravenous drug use, healthcare exposure (i.e. blood transfusions and surgical care), and body modification (i.e. tattooing and piercings) are well accepted risk factors for HCV transmission, others remain controversial. Because dental practice is often associated with procedures and bleeding, the possibility of HCV transmission seemed reasonable to investigate. Here, we review the evidence for dental care as a potential risk factor for HCV transmission. We identified a total of 1,180 manuscripts related to HCV and dental care, of which 26 manuscripts were included in the study after exclusionary criteria were applied. As per our review of the available literature, in the developing world, the improper use of sterile technique and lack of provider education likely increases the risk of HCV transmission during dental care. In developed nations, on the other hand, general dental care does not appear to be a significant risk factor for HCV transmission in non-intravenous drug user patients; although, the improper use and reuse of anesthetics during procedures poses a rare potential risk for viral transmission.

[Blood-borne infections and the pregnant health care worker. Risks and preventive measures]

Due to the increasing proportion of women in health care, as well as changes in working conditions (implementation of safety devices, minimally invasive/endoscopic procedures) the question arises whether the applicable laws and regulations for the protection of working mothers are outdated and should be updated.Individual risk analysis, as well as the inclusion of the pregnant health care worker in the decision-making process with regard to continuation or modification of the work practice serves as a protection of the expectant mother and unborn child and allows a continuation of the occupational activities.

Hepatitis C virus infection among transmission-prone medical personnel

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected physicians have been reported to infect some of their patients during exposure-prone procedures (EPPs). There is no European consensus on the policy for the prevention of this transmission. To help define an appropriate preventive policy, we determined the prevalence of HCV infection among EPP-performing medical personnel in the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The prevalence of HCV infection was studied among 729 EPP-performing health care workers. Serum samples, stored after post-hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination testing in the years 2000-2009, were tested for HCV antibodies. Repeat reactive samples were confirmed by immunoblot assay and the detection of HCV RNA. The average age of the 729 health care workers was 39 years (range 18-66), suggesting a considerable cumulative occupational exposure to the blood. Nevertheless, only one of the 729 workers (0.14%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: <0.01% to 0.85%) was tested and confirmed to be positive for anti-HCV and positive for HCV RNA, which is comparable to the prevalence of HCV among Amsterdam citizens. Against this background, for the protection of personnel and patients, careful follow-up after needlestick injuries may be sufficient. If a zero-risk approach is desirable and costs are less relevant, the recurrent screening of EPP-performing personnel for HCV is superior to the follow-up of reported occupational exposures.