OCCUPATIONAL HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION IN ITALIAN HEALTH-CARE WORKERS

The risk of exposed health care workers in 16 Italian hospitals becomi ng infected with hepatitis C virus was assessed through two serosurvey s at a 1-year interval and at follow-up. Prevalence, which was 2.2%. w as significantly associated with previous acute hepatitis, blood trans fusions, housekeeping, and older age (>46 years) but not with occupati onal risk factors. After 1 year, 2622 (87%) of the 3006 seronegative h ealth care workers were retested, and 3 (0.1%), who did not acknowledg e occupational or community risk factors, seroconverted. Additionally, 133 (97 needlesticks) out of 370 reported occupational exposures were to hepatitis C virus; one pricked nurse seroconverted (0.75%). Althou gh the risk is not negligible, hepatitis C virus infection does not se em to be easily occupationally transmitted.