Two cases of hepatitis C virus infection caused by needlestick injury at hemodialysis units

Abstract

Two nurses with type C hepatitis transmitted by needlestick accident at hemodialysis units are reported. Each nurse suffered a puncture wound of her palm caused by a needle contaminated with blood from a hemodialysis patient. The two hemodialysis patients were positve for anti-HCV, negative for HBsAg, and had no liver dysfunction. One nurse developed general fatigue and liver dysfunction one month after her needlestick accident. Anti-HCV turned positive about 6 months after the accident. The other nurse developed asymptomatic liver dysfunction 4 months after her needlestick accident. Anti-HCV developed 6 months after the accident. Pathological findings of liver specimens from both nurses, who were biopsied 9 and 15 months after their accident respectively, revealed chronic persistent hepatitis. Liver dysfunction in both nurses resolved completely with administration of β-interferon.