Hepatitis C virus transmission from an antibody-negative organ and tissue donor--United States, 2000-2002

In June 2002, a physician reported to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) a case of acute hepatitis C in a patient who had received a patellar tendon with bone allograft from a donor approximately 6 weeks before onset of illness. At the time of the donor's death in October 2000, his serum had no detectable antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). The ensuing investigation conducted by CDC and DHS confirmed that the donor, although anti-HCV-negative, was HCV RNA-positive and the probable source of HCV infection for at least eight organ and tissue recipients. This report summarizes the preliminary results of the investigation. Although transmission from anti-HCV-negative tissue donors probably is rare, determining the frequency of transplantations from such donors and the risk for transmitting HCV to recipients is important in evaluating whether additional prevention measures are warranted.