A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION AFTER NEEDLESTICK ACCIDENTS

There have been few prospective studies of hepatitis C virus (HCV) inf ection after needlestick accidents in hospital employees. In the prese nt study, the prevalence and features of HCV infection after needlesti ck accidents were evaluated prospectively measuring serum HCV-RNA. Sub jects were 56 employees who had HCV needlestick accidents. To monitor the development of hepatitis, the serum ALT levels and HCV-related ser omarkers, such as first generation anti-HCV (RIA), second generation a nti-HCV (PHA) and HCV-RNA (RT-PCR) were measured every month for at le ast 12 months after the accidents. Three of 56 (5.4%) recipients devel oped HCV infection. HCV-RNA was detected in all three recipients withi n 4 months after the exposure, and second-generation HCV antibody was detected in two of three recipients. The detection of HCV-RNA was earl ier than that of HCV antibody. Two of three HCV-infected recipients de veloped type C acute hepatitis and one of two received interferon ther apy; however, the other case received no medication. The detection of HCV-related seromarkers and the elevation of ALT levels were transient in these three recipients; thus, none developed chronic hepatitis. In conclusion, HCV infection developed in 5.4% of recipients within 4 mo nths after HCV accidents. All of these HCV-infected recipients showed fair prognosis. HCV-RNA was a beneficial parameter for early detection of HCV infection.