Blood‐borne viruses and their survival in the environment: is public concern about community needlestick exposures justified?

Thompson, Sandra; Boughton, C. R.; Dore, Gregory J.

doi:10.1111/j.1467-842x.2003.tb00606.x

Cited by 53 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…By the way, it is important to point out that 5% of all HCV cases occur by sexual route [14] and in 20% of cases, the agent transmission occur by unknown route, although RNA-HCV detection has been achieved from the saliva, breast milk, urine, feces, semen and cervico-vaginal secretions [14]. Additionally, it has been established that HCV perinatal transmission is possible, and the risk is approximately 5%, but breast-feeding has not been widely reported [15].…”

Section: Hepatitis C Virus: Transfusion and Possible Routes Of Transmmentioning

confidence: 97%

Hidden hazards of HCV transmission

Pondé

2010

Med Microbiol Immunol

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Hepatitis C virus infection is a global health problem that has important epidemiological and clinical consequences. It has been well established that exposure to infected blood is the main risk factor for HCV transmission. However, in 20% of cases the agent transmission occurs by unknown route or in the presence of an unidentified source of infection. Understanding of the epidemiology of HCV is needed to help us define future control and preventive strategies. Herein, we discuss about diagnosis of HCV infection and hepatitis C surveillance in the context of its transmission.

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Section: Hepatitis C Virus: Transfusion and Possible Routes Of Transmmentioning

confidence: 97%

Hidden hazards of HCV transmission

Pondé

2010

Med Microbiol Immunol

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“…The residual risk of post-transfusion infection with HBV is higher than that with HIV and HCV (4). Furthermore, the findings of recent studies indicate that HBV is more viable in needle syringes at room temperature than other blood-borne viruses (5). The transmission pattern of HBV in different geographical regions depends on the local prevalence of chronic HBV carriers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 86%

Guidelines for the Detection of a Common Source of Hepatitis B Virus Infections

Pourkarim

Ranst²

2011

Hepat Mon

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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important threat to global public health. Despite the availability of safe and effective prophylactic vaccines, the existence of a large reservoir of chronic carrier patients impedes the eradication of this virus; therefore, HBV-related diseases still rank ninth on the global ranking of causes of mortality (1). Moreover, HBV is considered the fifth most important infectious agent leading to death, with approximately 1 million HBV-related deaths occurring per year (2). Previous studies showed that the infectivity rate of HBV is higher than those of other blood-borne viruses. The risk of infection after percutaneous exposure to the 3 major blood-borne viruses-HBV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-varies greatly, and the risk of infection in non-immune individuals exposed to HBV may be over 30% if the source is hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive. The average infection rate for HCV and HIV is 1.8% and 0.3%, respectively (3). The residual risk of post-transfusion infection with HBV is higher than that with HIV and HCV (4). Furthermore, the findings of recent studies indicate that HBV is more viable in needle syringes at room temperature than other blood-borne viruses (5). The transmission pattern of HBV in different geographical regions depends on the local prevalence of chronic HBV carriers. For instance, in high prevalence (prevalence rate > 8%) regions such as South Asia, mother-to-child (vertical) transmission is the main route of transmission; in European countries with a low prevalence (prevalence rate < 2%), sexual transmission and unsafe injection practices are the main modes of HBV transmission. Nosocomial transmission and unsafe injection practices are responsible for more than 60% of HBV infections in Central Europe (6). The main mode of HBV transmission in East Asia, a highly endemic region, is vertical. In West Asia and the Middle East, the route of transmission and HBV seroprevalence are variable depending upon the region. For instance, Iran has low HBV endemicity (around 2%), and intravenous drug injections, tattooing, and phlebotomy are considered major potential risk factors and transmission routes of HBV infection in the country (7). Further, socioeconomic statuses, life styles, occupations, and cultural attitudes in different ethnic groups greatly impact the route of HBV transmission in Iran (8).During the last decade, several HBV outbreaks caused by nosocomial and iatrogenic transmissions have been reported in developed countries (9-16). These findings indicate that several routes of transmission (i.e. multi-

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“…This is likely due to a combination of low rates of chronic HBV in PWID, high rates of safe disposal of used needles and a decline in the viability of HBV once exposed to the environment. 19 Worldwide, there have only been two reports of HBV infection following community needlestick injury. One was in a young child in Spain 23 and the second in a 26-year-old cleaner, reported in Australia in 2011.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…18 This approach is supported by expert opinion in Australia. 19 National NPEP Guidelines for HIV exposure do not recommend the use of HBIG in MSM who have a sexual exposure with an unknown source, however, there are no formal guidelines as to the management of community needlestick injuries in Australia. 20 © 2013 The Authors.…”

Section: Current Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%