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Risk of hepatitis C after immunoadsorption.
Rolf Kaiser1, Oliver Geulen, Bertfried Matz
1Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Bonn, Germany.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
|June 27, 2002
Summary
A hemophilia patient experienced acute hepatitis, initially thought to be a hepatitis C virus (HCV) reactivation. It was actually a reinfection from another patient during cohort therapy, highlighting risks in treatment units.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Immunoadsorption therapy is used for various conditions, including those affecting patients with hemophilia.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a significant risk in immunocompromised or chronically ill populations.
- Cohort treatment settings require stringent protocols to prevent pathogen transmission.
Observation:
- A patient with hemophilia undergoing immunoadsorption therapy developed acute hepatitis.
- The hepatitis was initially suspected to be a reactivation of a pre-existing hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
- Further investigation revealed the hepatitis was due to an exogenous reinfection.
Findings:
- The acute hepatitis episode was confirmed as a new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, not a reactivation.
- The source of reinfection was identified as another patient undergoing cohort treatment within the same unit.
- This indicates a failure in preventing nosocomial transmission of blood-borne pathogens.
Implications:
- Current policies for preventing nosocomial transmission of blood-borne pathogens may be insufficient, particularly in cohort treatment settings.
- Reassessment of infection control measures is crucial for vulnerable patient groups, such as those with hemophilia.
- This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and robust prevention strategies to avoid iatrogenic infections.