HEPATITIS B INFECTION AT AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY CENTREJuly 26, 2000A study in this week's issue of THE LANCET emphasises the continuing risk of transmission of bloodborne viruses in health-care settings where skin-piercing procedures are used. In more developed countries, such as the USA and UK, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is low. George Webster and colleagues describe the epidemiology of a large outbreak of hepatitis B that occurred in the UK in 1998. The outbreak was traced to an alternative medicine clinic in London that practised autohaemotherapy - a technique in which about 1 mL of a patient's blood is drawn with a needle and syringe, mixed with an equal volume of saline, then reinjected (this technique is intended to boost the immune system). Of 352 patients who attended the clinic between January, 1997, and February, 1998, 54 had evidence of HBV infection, of whom 31 had active infection. Two staff members who had themselves undergone autohaemotherapy also had active infection. DNA sequencing revealed that 30 of the patients and staff (91%) with active hepatitis B were infected with an identical HBV strain. Five patients with linked infection had markers of chronic hepatitis B, and one of these was regarded as the likely source of the outbreak. The attack rate was associated with the number of visits and the week of visit. An analysis of the procedures used at the clinic revealed that although new needles were used for each patient, the blood-filled syringes were repeatedly dipped directly into a multiuse bottle of saline. Contact: Dr George Webster, Centre for Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London NW3 2PF, UK; T) +44 (0)1523 726751 (pager); F) +44 (0)20 7433 2884; E) g.webster@rfc.ucl.ac.uk Lancet |
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| Related Hepatitis Current Events and Hepatitis News Articles Toward explaining why hepatitis B hits men harder than women Scientists in China are reporting discovery of unusual liver proteins, found only in males, that may help explain the long-standing mystery of why the hepatitis B virus (HBV) sexually discriminates -- hitting men harder than women. Largest-ever database for liver proteins may lead to treatments for hepatitis Scientists at a group of 11 research centers in China are reporting for the first time assembly of the largest-ever collection of data about the proteins produced by genes in a single human organ. Mount Sinai finds those with more difficult to treat forms of HCV are half as likely to get treated A new study by Mount Sinai researchers has for the first time found that patients with more difficult to treat forms of hepatitis C are half as likely to initiate treatment for the disease, when compared to patients with hepatitis C that is easier to treat. Extending treatment after liver transplant may benefit patients with hepatitis C recurrence Extending hepatitis C treatment for liver transplant patients beyond current practice results in high rates of clearance of the hepatitis C virus from the blood, as well as a low rate of relapse, according to a Henry Ford Hospital study. Hepatitis B does not increase risk for pancreatic cancer A Henry Ford Hospital study found that hepatitis B does not increase the risk for pancreatic cancer - and that only age is a contributing factor. Governor recognizes stem cell research at Einstein Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University hosted a roundtable discussion on stem cell research with New York Governor David A. Paterson today. Liver cells grown from patients' skin cells Scientists at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have successfully produced liver cells from patients' skin cells opening the possibility of treating a wide range of diseases that affect liver function. Injury and hazards in home health care nursing are a growing concern Patients continue to enter home healthcare ''sicker and quicker," often with complex health problems that may require extensive nursing care. Medication effective for acute liver failure in early stages of disease The antidote for acute liver failure caused by acetaminophen poisoning also can treat acute liver failure due to most other causes if given before severe injury occurs, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers and their colleagues at 21 other institutions have found. New aging studies improving vaccine efficacy for the elderly A new study from the Trudeau Institute in Saranac Lake, New York, demonstrates that immune system cells important for both pathogen resistance and vaccine efficacy live longer in older animals but because of this longevity acquire functional defects. More Hepatitis Current Events and Hepatitis News Articles |
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