A cluster of hepatitis B infections associated with incorrect use of a capillary blood sampling device in a nursing home in the Netherlands, 2007

H M Gotz; M Schutten; G J Borsboom; B Hendriks; G van Doornum; O de Zwart

doi:10.2807/ese.13.27.18918-en

Surveillance and outbreak reports Open Access

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A cluster of hepatitis B infections associated with incorrect use of a capillary blood sampling device in a nursing home in the Netherlands, 2007
H M Gotz ^1,2 , M Schutten³ , G J Borsboom² , B Hendriks⁴ , G van Doornum³ , O de Zwart^1,2
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Affiliations: ¹ Division of Infectious Disease Control, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam Rijnmond, The Netherlands ² Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands ³ Department of Virology , Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands ⁴ Division of Hygiene and Environment, Municipal Public Health Service Rotterdam Rijnmond, The Netherlands

Correspondence:
H Gotz
gotzh ggd.rotterdam.nl
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Citation style for this article: Gotz H M, Schutten M , Borsboom G J, Hendriks B, van Doornum G, de Zwart O. A cluster of hepatitis B infections associated with incorrect use of a capillary blood sampling device in a nursing home in the Netherlands, 2007. Euro Surveill. 2008;13(27):pii=18918. https://doi.org/10.2807/ese.13.27.18918-en Received: 23 Apr 2008

Abstract

In July 2007, two residents of a nursing home were diagnosed with acute Hepatitis B virus infection. To identify risk factors for HBV infection a retrospective cohort study among residents was performed. Case finding included discharged diabetes patients and those receiving home care. Among 32 residents one case of chronic hepatitis B was found that could be identified by genotyping as the source patient for the acute cases. Diabetes and finger sticks were risk factors for HBV infection. Most likely the cause of transmission was a multiclix finger stick device developed for use in individual patients but used in multiple patients. Education and training in the use of new equipment and hygiene audits remain the cornerstones in infection control practices.