Hepatitis: Beltrami EM

Chapman LE, Sullivent EE, Grohskopf LA, Beltrami EM, Perz JF, Kretsinger K, Panlilio AL, Thompson ND, Ehrenberg RL, Gensheimer KF, Duchin JS, Kilmarx PH, Hunt RC, Anonymous00122. · National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, CDC, Mailstop D-68, 1600 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. · MMWR Recomm Rep. · Pubmed #18668022 links to  free full text

Abstract: This report outlines recommendations for postexposure interventions to prevent infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or human immunodeficiency virus, and tetanus in persons wounded during bombings or other events resulting in mass casualties. Persons wounded during such events or in conjunction with the resulting emergency response might be exposed to blood, body fluids, or tissue from other injured persons and thus be at risk for bloodborne infections. This report adapts existing general recommendations on the use of immunization and postexposure prophylaxis for tetanus and for occupational and nonoccupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens to the specific situation of a mass-casualty event. Decisions regarding the implementation of prophylaxis are complex, and drawing parallels from existing guidelines is difficult. For any prophylactic intervention to be implemented effectively, guidance must be simple, straightforward, and logistically undemanding. Critical review during development of this guidance was provided by representatives of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and representatives of the acute injury care, trauma and emergency response medical communities participating in CDC's Terrorism Injuries: Information, Dissemination and Exchange (TIIDE) project. The recommendations contained in this report represent the consensus of U.S. federal public health officials and reflect the experience and input of public health officials at all levels of government and the acute injury response community.

Alvarado-Ramy F, Beltrami EM. · Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Applied Public Health Training, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga 30333, USA. · Cleve Clin J Med. · Pubmed #12779136 links to  free full text

Abstract: The US Public Health Service recently updated its guidelines for managing health care workers exposed to blood or other body fluids that might contain blood-borne viruses. The update addresses, among other things, timely administration of hepatitis B immune globulin and hepatitis B vaccine, appropriate testing for hepatitis C exposure, and new information on prophylaxis after exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Beltrami EM, Williams IT, Shapiro CN, Chamberland ME. · HIV Infections Branch, Hospital Infections Program, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. · Clin Microbiol Rev. · Pubmed #10885983 links to  free full text

Abstract: Exposure to blood-borne pathogens poses a serious risk to health care workers (HCWs). We review the risk and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in HCWs and also discuss current methods for preventing exposures and recommendations for postexposure prophylaxis. In the health care setting, blood-borne pathogen transmission occurs predominantly by percutaneous or mucosal exposure of workers to the blood or body fluids of infected patients. Prospective studies of HCWs have estimated that the average risk for HIV transmission after a percutaneous exposure is approximately 0.3%, the risk of HBV transmission is 6 to 30%, and the risk of HCV transmission is approximately 1.8%. To minimize the risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission from HCWs to patients, all HCWs should adhere to standard precautions, including the appropriate use of hand washing, protective barriers, and care in the use and disposal of needles and other sharp instruments. Employers should have in place a system that includes written protocols for prompt reporting, evaluation, counseling, treatment, and follow-up of occupational exposures that may place a worker at risk of blood-borne pathogen infection. A sustained commitment to the occupational health of all HCWs will ensure maximum protection for HCWs and patients and the availability of optimal medical care for all who need it.

Chapman LE, Sullivent EE, Grohskopf LA, Beltrami EM, Perz JF, Kretsinger K, Panlilio AL, Thompson ND, Ehrenberg RL, Gensheimer KF, Duchin JS, Kilmarx PH, Hunt RC. · Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control nd Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. · Disaster Med Public Health Prep. · Pubmed #18677271 No free full text.

Abstract: People wounded during bombings or other events resulting in mass casualties or in conjunction with the resulting emergency response may be exposed to blood, body fluids, or tissue from other injured people and thus be at risk for bloodborne infections such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, or tetanus. This report adapts existing general recommendations on the use of immunization and postexposure prophylaxis for tetanus and for occupational and nonoccupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens to the specific situation of a mass casualty event. Decisions regarding the implementation of prophylaxis are complex, and drawing parallels from existing guidelines is difficult. For any prophylactic intervention to be implemented effectively, guidance must be simple, straightforward, and logistically undemanding. Critical review during development of this guidance was provided by representatives of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and representatives of the acute injury care, trauma, and emergency response medical communities participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Terrorism Injuries: Information, Dissemination and Exchange project. There recommendations contained in this report represent the consensus of US federal public health officials and reflect the experience and input of public health officials at all levels of government and the acute injury response community.

Beltrami EM, Kozak A, Williams IT, Saekhou AM, Kalish ML, Nainan OV, Stramer SL, Fucci MC, Frederickson D, Cardo DM. · Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. · Am J Infect Control. · Pubmed #12734523 No free full text.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: We report a case of simultaneous HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission from a nursing home patient to a health care worker (HCW) whose HIV and HCV infections were diagnosed during routine blood donor screening. METHODS: Detailed information about the HCW, possible occupational and nonoccupational blood and body fluid exposures, and possible source patient was collected. Blood samples were drawn from the HCW and patient, and HIV and HCV laboratory testing was performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: The HCW, who worked as a nursing home aide, had no nonoccupational risk factors for HIV or HCV infection but provided care for 1 HIV-infected patient with dementia and urinary and fecal incontinence. The HCW had numerous exposures to the patient's emesis, feces, and urine to unprotected chapped and abraded hands. HCW and patient blood samples were positive for anti-HCV by enzyme immunoassay and recombinant immunoblot assay testing. The HCW's and patient's HCV were genotyped as 1a, and their HIV-1 was genotyped as subtype B. HIV and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence analysis showed that the HCW's and patient's viruses were very closely related. CONCLUSIONS: HIV and HCV transmission from the patient to the HCW appears to have occurred through nonintact skin exposure. Bloodborne pathogen transmission may have been prevented in this situation by consistent, unfailing use of barrier precautions.