Stability and transmission of hepatitis C virus in different anesthetics

P Behrendt, J Doerrbecker, N Riebesehl, C Wilhelm, S Ciesek, TJ Erichsen, J Steinmann, M Ott, MP Manns, T Pietschmann, E Steinmann

Am J Infect Control. 2013 Oct;41(10):942-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2013.01.016.

In May 2012, Branch-Elliman et al reported an outbreak of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections due to contamination of multidose medication vials.1 The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene was informed of a cluster of 4 patients treated at an outpatient gastroenterology center who developed acute HCV infection. A detailed investigation identified a total of 12 clinic-associated HCV transmissions within a period of 8 days, which were traced back to unsafe handling of multidose medication vials and possible reuse of contaminated needles during anesthetic procedures.