RSS Feeds
Parenterally Transmitted Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis
An Epidemic Reassessed
- JOEL D. MEYERS, M.D.;
- JULES L. DIENSTAG, M.D.;
- ROBERT H. PURCELL, M.D.;
- E. DONNALL THOMAS, M.D.; and
- KING K. HOLMES, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.P.
Abstract
In 1972 a nosocomial outbreak of parenterally transmitted hepatitis affected both marrow transplant patients and normal platelet donors in an oncology unit. Because of the characteristics of the clinical illness, the incubation period of 27 days, and the effect of immune serum globulin on the clinical illness, the outbreak was attributed to hepatitis A; there was no serologic evidence of either hepatitis B virus or cytomegalovirus infection. Stored serums from this outbreak were re-examined by more recently developed serologic techniques for evidence of hepatitis A (HA) virus infection. Ten patients and donors had undetectable anti-HA titers before illness and none seroconverted; five persons had pre-existent anti-HA titers and showed no further rise in convalescent serums. The serum of one patient was inevaluable. With the availability of serologic techniques for the diagnosis of both hepatitis A and hepatitis B virus infections, it is clear that most cases of post-transfusion hepatitis are not due to either of these agents, and short-incubation-period hepatitis can not be assumed to be hepatitis A without further investigation.
Article and Author Information
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▸From the Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, United States Public Health Service Hospital and the Divisions of Infectious Diseases and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington; the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington; and the Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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Grant support: Dr. Thomas is a recipient of Research Career Award AI 02425 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. This investigation was supported by Grant Number CA 18029, awarded by the National Cancer Institute, DHEW, and Training Grant AI 00191 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Joel D. Meyers, M.D.; Division of Infectious Diseases, U.S. Public Health Service Hospital, 1131 14th Avenue South; Seattle, WA 98114.
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- Received March 28, 1977.
- Accepted May 9, 1977.
