Epidemiology and molecular investigation of hepatitis C infection following holiday haemodialysis

2012

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is not infrequent among haemodialysis patients. Most published reports suggest that patient-to-patient spread, either directly or indirectly, is the most common mode of transmission in renal units. Aim: To investigate the source of an outbreak, and the route of transmission, of acute HCV infection in two Scottish patients occurring within eight weeks of receiving haemodialysis in the same unit while on holiday in Majorca. Methods: This was an international epidemiological and molecular investigation of HCV infection among a cohort of haemodialysis patients from nine countries. Findings: No further HCV-positive infections were observed among resi…