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Seroconversion Rates among Healthcare Workers Exposed to Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis C-Contaminated Body Fluids: The University of Pittsburgh Experience
Francesco Egro
Chibueze Nwaiwu
Saundra Smith
Jay Harper
Alexander Spiess
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
2016-01-27
Presenter: Chibueze Nwaiwu
Affidavit:
I certify that the material proposed for presentation in this abstract has not been published in any scientific journal or previously presented at a major meeting.
Director Name: Joseph E Losee
Author Category: Medical Student
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Hand
BACKGROUND: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission to healthcare personnel (HCP) following percutaneous exposure to the blood of a source patient, has been reported to occur at an average rate of 0.3% (0.2-0.5%) and 1.8% (range 0-10%), respectively. We aimed to determine the seroconversion rates in a major academic center in the US.
METHODS: A longitudinal analysis of a prospectively maintained database of reported occupational injuries occurring between 2002 and 2015 at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center was performed. Data collected included the type of injury, injured body part, type of fluid, contamination of sharps, and use of post-exposure prophylaxis.
RESULTS: Over the 13-year period, 1,627 cases (HIV=266, HCV=1,361) were included in the study. The majority of cases were caused by percutaneous injuries (HIV=52.6%, HCV=65.0%) as opposed to mucocutaneous injuries (HIV=43.2%, HCV=33.7%); the majority of injuries occurred in the hand (HIV=52.6%, HCV=63.3%). Blood exposure accounted for 64.3% (HIV) and 72.7% (HCV) of cases, saliva for 5.6% (HIV) and 3.4% (HCV), and other fluids for 13.6% (HIV) and 11% (HCV). The seroconversion rate was calculated at 0% (n=0) for HIV and 0.1% (n=2) for HCV, caused by blood exposure secondary to percutaneous injuries.
CONCLUSION: This study provides the most recent data from a major US academic medical center. The seroconversion rates among HCP exposed to HIV and HCV-contaminated body fluids (0% and 0.1% respectively) were found to be lower than most of the data found in the literature.
