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Singh J, Stoitsova S, Zakrzewska K, Henszel L, Rosińska M, Duffell E. Healthcare-associated hepatitis B and C transmission to patients in the EU/EEA and UK: a systematic review of reported outbreaks between 2006 and 2021. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2260. [PMID: 36463162 PMCID: PMC9719626 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14726-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthcare-associated transmission was the second most common hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) transmission route according to 2006-2012 European surveillance data, but data quality and completeness issues hinder comprehensive characterisation of this important issue. We carried out a systematic review of published literature on healthcare-associated transmission of HBV or HCV in European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries and the United Kingdom to complement surveillance data and identify higher-risk settings. We searched the PubMed and Embase databases and grey literature over the period January 2006 to September 2021, for publications reporting transmission events after 2000 in the EU/EEA and UK related to a healthcare setting or procedure. We collected data on the country, number of patients, setting type and route of transmission. In 65 publications from 16 countries, 43 HBV and 48 HCV events were identified resulting in 442 newly infected patients. Most events were reported from Italy (7 HBV and 12 HCV), Germany (8 HBV and 5 HCV) and the United Kingdom (8 HBV and 5 HCV). The number of patients infected from a single source within an event ranged from 1 to 53. Five large outbreaks of over 20 cases were identified, including two in Poland and one each in Belgium, Hungary and Slovakia. The majority of transmission events occurred through blood transfusions or in dialysis units. However, there were a number of outbreaks in seemingly low risk settings such as CT/MRI scanning units. A failure to adequately follow infection prevention control (IPC) precautions was reported in 30% of included studies. Healthcare-associated transmission of hepatitis B and C continues to occur in a range of community and hospital settings across EU/EEA countries and often results in large outbreaks, although the true extent of the situation cannot be fully determined due to under-reporting. Strict IPC precautions should be implemented across all healthcare settings and regularly audited, and surveillance systems strengthened and standardised to allow for comprehensive and consistent reporting of nosocomial transmission of hepatitis across the EU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasleen Singh
- grid.418914.10000 0004 1791 8889European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Savina Stoitsova
- grid.418914.10000 0004 1791 8889European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.415789.60000 0001 1172 7414National Institute of Public Health NIH, National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Zakrzewska
- grid.415789.60000 0001 1172 7414National Institute of Public Health NIH, National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Lukasz Henszel
- grid.415789.60000 0001 1172 7414National Institute of Public Health NIH, National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Rosińska
- grid.415789.60000 0001 1172 7414National Institute of Public Health NIH, National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Erika Duffell
- grid.418914.10000 0004 1791 8889European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
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Chuaypen N, Khlaiphuengsin A, Prasoppokakorn T, Susantitaphong P, Prasithsirikul W, Avihingsanon A, Tangkijvanich P, Praditpornsilpa K. Prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus within hemodialysis units in Thailand: role of HCV core antigen in the assessment of viremia. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:79. [PMID: 35065604 PMCID: PMC8783655 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07074-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with end-stage renal disease have a higher risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquisition during long-term hemodialysis (HD). Our report was designed to investigate HCV prevalence and genotype, in addition to the clinical use of HCV core antigen (HCVcAg), within multiple HD facilities in Thailand. Methods This cross‐sectional report was investigated between January and June 2019. HCV infection was assessed by anti-HCV and confirmed active infection by measuring HCV RNA and HCVcAg. HCV genotype was determined by phylogenetic analysis using nucleotide sequences of NS5B region. Results Overall, 140 of 3,305 (4.2%) patients in 15 dialysis centers had anti-HCV positive. Among them, HCV RNA was further assessed in 93 patients and was detectable in 59 (63.4%) persons. Considering HCV viremia, HCVcAg measurement exhibited high accuracy (96.8%), sensitivity (94.9%) and specificity (100%) in comparison with HCV RNA testing. Moreover, individuals infected with HCV received a longer duration of dialysis vintage when compared to anti-HCV negative controls. The major sub-genotypes were 1a, 1b, 3a, 3b, 6f and 6n. Regarding phylogenetic analysis, there were 7 clusters of isolates with high sequence homology affecting 17 individuals, indicating possible HCV transmission within the same HD centers. Conclusions HCV frequency and common sub-genotypes in HD centers were different from those found in the Thai general population. HCVcAg might be an alternate testing for viremia within resource-limited countries. Enhanced preventive practices, dialyzer reuse policy and better access to antiviral therapy are crucial for HCV micro-elimination within HD facilities.
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Aisyah DN, Story A, Kremyda-Vlachou M, Kozlakidis Z, Shalcross L, Hayward A. Assessing hepatitis C virus distribution among vulnerable populations in London using whole genome sequencing: results from the TB-REACH study. Wellcome Open Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16907.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Injecting drugs substantially increases the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and is common in vulnerable population groups, such as the homeless and prisoners. Capturing accurate data on relative genotype distribution within these groups is essential to inform strategies to reduce HCV transmission. The aim of this study was to utilise a next-generation whole-genome sequencing method recently validated by Public Health England, in order to produce near complete HCV genomes. Methods: In total, 98 HCV positive patients were recruited from homeless hostels and drug treatment services through the National Health Services (NHS) Find and Treat (F&T) Service between May 2011 and June 2013 in London, UK. Samples were sequenced by Next-generation sequencing, with 88 complete HCV genomes constructed by a de novo assembly pipeline. They were analysed phylogenetically for an estimate of their genetic distance. Results: Of the 88 complete HCV genomes, 50/88 (56.8%) were genotype 1; 32/88 (36.4%) genotype 3; 4/88 (4.5%) genotype 2; and 1/88 (1.1%) for genotypes 4 and 6 each. Subtype 1a had the highest number of samples (51.1%), followed by subtype 3a (35.2%), 1b (5.7%), and 2b (3.4%). Samples collected from drug treatment services had the highest number of genotype 1 (69%); genotypes 4 and 6 were only found from samples collected in homeless shelters. Small clusters of highly related genomic sequences were observed both across and within the vulnerable groups sampled. Conclusions: Subsequent phylogenetic analysis provides a first indication that there are related HCV sequences amongst the three vulnerable population groups, reflecting their overlapping social behaviours. This study is the first presentation of whole genome HCV sequences from such vulnerable groups in London and paves the way for similar research in the future.
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Mazzucco W, Chiara di Maio V, Bronte F, Fabeni L, Pipitone RM, Grimaudo S, Ferraro D, Marotta C, Aragri M, Macaluso M, Vitale F, Di Raimondo F, Ceccherini-Silberstein F, Di Marco V. Phylogenetic analysis in the clinical risk management of an outbreak of hepatitis C virus infection among transfused thalassaemia patients in Italy. J Hosp Infect 2021; 115:51-58. [PMID: 34171407 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Occurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is reduced by effective risk management procedures, but patient-to-patient transmission continues to be reported in healthcare settings. AIM To report the use of phylogenetic analysis in the clinical risk management of an HCV outbreak among 128 thalassaemia outpatients followed at a thalassaemia centre of an Italian hospital. METHODS Epidemiological investigation and root-cause analysis were performed. All patients with acute hepatitis and known chronic infection were tested for HCV RNA, HCV genotyping, and NS3, NS5A, and NS5B HCV genomic region sequencing. To identify transmission clusters, phylogenetic trees were built for each gene employing Bayesian methods. FINDINGS All patients with acute hepatitis were infected with HCV genotype 1b. Root-cause analysis, including a lookback procedure, excluded blood donors as the source of HCV transmission. The phylogenetic analysis, conducted on seven patients with acute infection and eight patients with chronic infection, highlighted four transmission clusters including at least one patient with chronic and one patient with acute HCV infection. All patients in the same cluster received a blood transfusion during the same day. Two patients with acute hepatitis spontaneously cleared HCV within four weeks and nine patients received ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir for six weeks, all achieving a sustained virological response. CONCLUSION Combined use of root-cause analysis and molecular epidemiology was effective in ascertaining the origin of the HCV outbreak. Antiviral therapy avoided the chronic progression of the infection and further spread in care units and in the family environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Mazzucco
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Clinical Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Unit, COVID-19 Western Sicilian Regional Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital (AOUP) 'P. Giaccone', Palermo, Italy; Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - V Chiara di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - F Bronte
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - L Fabeni
- Laboratory of Virology, 'Lazzaro Spallanzani' National Institute for Infectious Diseases, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - R M Pipitone
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - S Grimaudo
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - D Ferraro
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - C Marotta
- General Directorate of Health Prevention, Ministry of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - M Aragri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - M Macaluso
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - F Vitale
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy; Clinical Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Unit, COVID-19 Western Sicilian Regional Reference Laboratory, Palermo University Hospital (AOUP) 'P. Giaccone', Palermo, Italy
| | - F Di Raimondo
- Division of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico, Department of Surgery and Medical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - V Di Marco
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Freimanis GL, Oade MS. Whole-Genome Sequencing Protocols for IBV and Other Coronaviruses Using High-Throughput Sequencing. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2203:67-74. [PMID: 32833204 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0900-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
This chapter reports the high-throughput sequencing protocol for sequencing Coronaviruses and other positive strand viruses to produce a dataset of significant depth of coverage. The protocol describes sequencing of infectious bronchitis virus propagated in embryonated eggs and harvested in the allantoic fluid. The protocol is composed of three main steps-enrichment of the allantoic fluid using ultracentrifugation, extraction of total RNA from allantoic fluid, and library preparation from total RNA to DNA sequencing libraries. The workflow will be suitable for all coronaviruses using high-throughput sequencing platforms.
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The Role of Autophagy in Interferon/Ribavirin Responders and Non-Responders with Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2020. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.92560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Bellocchi MC, Aragri M, Carioti L, Fabeni L, Pipitone RM, Brancaccio G, Sorbo MC, Barbaliscia S, Di Maio VC, Bronte F, Grimaudo S, Mazzucco W, Frigeri F, Cantone M, Pinto A, Perno CF, Craxì A, Gaeta GB, Di Marco V, Ceccherini-Silberstein F. NS5A Gene Analysis by Next Generation Sequencing in HCV Nosocomial Transmission Clusters of HCV Genotype 1b Infected Patients. Cells 2019; 8:E666. [PMID: 31269695 PMCID: PMC6678654 DOI: 10.3390/cells8070666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the intra-host variability through next-generation-sequencing (NGS) of the NS5A-gene in nosocomial transmission-clusters observed in two Italian hospitals among hepatitis C virus (HCV)-genotype-1b infected patients. Methods: HCV-sequencing was performed by Sanger-sequencing (NS3 + NS5A + NS5B) and by NGS (NS5A, MiSeq-Illumina) in 15 HCV-1b infected patients [five acute with onco-hematologic-disease and 10 (4/6 acute/chronic) with β-thalassemia]. Resistance-associated-substitutions (RAS) were analysed by Geno2pheno-algorithm. Nucleotide-sequence-variability (NSV, at 1%, 2%, 5%, 10% and 15% NGS-cutoffs) and Shannon entropy were estimated. Phylogenetic analysis was performed by Mega6-software and Bayesian-analysis. Results: Phylogenetic analysis showed five transmission-clusters: one involving four HCV-acute onco-hematologic-patients; one involving three HCV-chronic β-thalassemia-patients and three involving both HCV-acute and chronic β-thalassemia-patients. The NS5A-RAS Y93H was found in seven patients, distributed differently among chronic/acute patients involved in the same transmission-clusters, independently from the host-genetic IL-28-polymorphism. The intra-host NSV was higher in chronic-patients versus acute-patients, at all cutoffs analyzed (p < 0.05). Even though Shannon-entropy was higher in chronic-patients, significantly higher values were observed only in chronic β-thalassemia-patients versus acute β-thalassemia-patients (p = 0.01). Conclusions: In nosocomial HCV transmission-clusters, the intra-host HCV quasispecies divergence in patients with acute-infection was very low in comparison to that in chronic-infection. The NS5A-RAS Y93H was often transmitted and distributed differently within the same transmission-clusters, independently from the IL-28-polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marianna Aragri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Carioti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Lavinia Fabeni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Rosaria Maria Pipitone
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Brancaccio
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Sorbo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Barbaliscia
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Velia Chiara Di Maio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bronte
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefania Grimaudo
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter Mazzucco
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Marco Cantone
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Pinto
- Hematology Department, National Cancer Institute "Fondazione Pascale", IRCCS, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Carlo Federico Perno
- Department of Microbiology and Clinic Microbiology, University of Milan, 20162 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Craxì
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Battista Gaeta
- Infectious Diseases, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Campania University "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Vito Di Marco
- Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) Department, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
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Maurier F, Beury D, Fléchon L, Varré JS, Touzet H, Goffard A, Hot D, Caboche S. A complete protocol for whole-genome sequencing of virus from clinical samples: Application to coronavirus OC43. Virology 2019; 531:141-148. [PMID: 30878524 PMCID: PMC7112119 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2019.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Genome sequencing of virus has become a useful tool for better understanding of virus pathogenicity and epidemiological surveillance. Obtaining virus genome sequence directly from clinical samples is still a challenging task due to the low load of virus genetic material compared to the host DNA, and to the difficulty to get an accurate genome assembly. Here we introduce a complete sequencing and analyzing protocol called V-ASAP for Virus Amplicon Sequencing Assembly Pipeline. Our protocol is able to generate the viral dominant genome sequence starting from clinical samples. It is based on a multiplex PCR amplicon sequencing coupled with a reference-free analytical pipeline. This protocol was applied to 11 clinical samples infected with coronavirus OC43 (HcoV-OC43), and led to seven complete and two nearly complete genome assemblies. The protocol introduced here is shown to be robust, to produce a reliable sequence, and could be applied to other virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Maurier
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Delphine Beury
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Léa Fléchon
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inria, UMR 9189 - CRIStAL - Centre de Recherche en Informatique Signal et Automatique de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Jean-Stéphane Varré
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inria, UMR 9189 - CRIStAL - Centre de Recherche en Informatique Signal et Automatique de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Hélène Touzet
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inria, UMR 9189 - CRIStAL - Centre de Recherche en Informatique Signal et Automatique de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Anne Goffard
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - David Hot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Ségolène Caboche
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR8204 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France.
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Reusable blood collection tube holders are implicated in nosocomial hepatitis C virus transmission. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2019; 40:252-253. [PMID: 30698137 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2018.314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Hepatitis C virus transmission in a Dutch haemodialysis unit: detailed outbreak investigation using NS5A gene sequencing. J Hosp Infect 2018; 101:333-338. [PMID: 30500385 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2018.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haemodialysis is a risk factor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. Two patients receiving haemodialysis in a Dutch dialysis unit in The Hague were found to seroconvert to HCV in December 2016 after the yearly routine control for blood-borne viruses. Following the presumed time of infection, three chronically infected HCV patients were identified as possible index cases. AIM To confirm inter-patient transmission and to identify the source. METHODS Molecular investigation and review of medical records were performed. FINDINGS Both of the incident cases and one of the three possible index cases were demonstrated to be infected with HCV genotype 2b based on 5'UTR sequencing. Epidemiological relatedness between these viruses was further investigated by sequencing of the NS5A region. Phylogenetic analysis clearly identified the incident cases and the index case to represent a cluster distinct from unrelated controls with HCV genotype 2b. Detailed review of the medical records identified two possible incidents that might have resulted in the HCV transmission cases: contamination of the venous pressure-sensing port due to high venous pressures or incomplete compliance with infection control precautions of the unit staff during handling of two incidents, that occurred at the same time in a single haemodialysis session with the index patient as well as both incident cases present. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that detailed incident recording in combination with state-of-the-art molecular investigations such as sequencing of the NS5A region resulted in unravelling a set of two HCV transmissions that occurred at a haemodialysis unit.
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Garvey MI, Bradley CW, Holden E. Waterborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa transmission in a hematology unit? Am J Infect Control 2018; 46:383-386. [PMID: 29195780 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen that commonly colonizes hospital water supplies, including in taps and sinks. We report the transmission of P. aeruginosa from water to patients in a clinical hematology setting. METHODS P. aeruginosa from water samples were compared to clinical isolates from hematology ward patients, via molecular typing (pulsed field gel electrophoresis). RESULTS P. aeruginosa cultured from blood cultures from 3 patients was indistinguishable from water strains, by molecular typing. Based on infection control inspections, the transmission event was surmised to be due to cleaning of equipment, specifically an infusion therapy procedure tray used to transport intravenous drugs to patients, with water from an outlet colonized by P. aeruginosa. CONCLUSION We show the importance of holistic factors, such as disposal of patient waste water, cleaning of tap outlets, and cleaning of medical equipment, in the transmission of P. aeruginosa, and demonstrate that the role of waterborne transmission of this organism in a hematology setting cannot be overlooked. We suggest that appropriate management of water, including both holistic and engineering interventions, is needed to stop transmission of P. aeruginosa from water to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark I Garvey
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK.
| | - Craig W Bradley
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
| | - Elisabeth Holden
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2WB, UK
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