HepatitisWA is conducting a needs assessment to determine the type of hepatitis C education that will benefit employees in the Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health sectors in WA. The results from this survey will be used to create relevant education workshops to assist in improving the response to hepatitis C across sectors.
Please click on the link below to complete and return surveys by Wednesday October 14th. We thank you in advance for participating. Your input is greatly appreciated.
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Intranasal transmission of hepatitis C
ABSTRACT:
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although several primary routes of HCV transmission are known, about 1 in 5 cases are of unknown etiology. One potential source of infection that might account for the unexplained cases involves intranasal transmission of HCV through contaminated drug-sniffing implements, such as straws or spoons, shared by intranasal drug users. In this study, we assessed the virological and clinical preconditions necessary for intranasal HCV transmission. Methods: 38 patients with chronic active HCV infection and a history of intranasal drug use were recruited from a community health clinic in New York City. Nasal swabs and drug sniffing implements were collected and tested for the presence of occult blood and HCV RNA. Each subject completed an epidemiological survey and was administered a clinical nasal examination.
Findings: Nasal pathology in this sample of chronic drug sniffers was moderate to high, and included epistaxis, rhinitis, rhinorrhea and blockage, mucosal lesions, nasal septal perforations, and saddlenose deformation. Occult blood was detected in 74% of nasal swab samples and 8% of sniffing implements. HCV RNA was detected in 13% of nasal swab samples and 5% of sniffing implements.
Interpretation: These findings confirm the essential virological and clinical preconditions necessary for HCV intranasal transmission and add support to previous epidemiological evidence indicating that intranasal drug use poses a risk for HCV infection. Additionally, these findings advance the debate regarding potential transmission of HCV in the context of ENT and related clinical practices.
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