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Epidemic outbreak of non-A, non-B hepatitis in a plasmapheresis center. I: Epidemiological observations

Epidemie von Nicht-A-, nicht-B-Hepatitis in einem Plasmapheresezentrum

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Summary

An epidemic outbreak of non-A, non-B hepatitis occurred in 1977/78 involving 30 donors at a plasmapheresis center. A chimpanzee inoculated with serum of one donor developed non-A, non-B hepatitis with characteristic tubular alterations in the endoplasmatic reticulum. Infections were detected over a period of several months, with two well defined peaks in December 1977 and between the end of January and the beginning of February 1978. Epidemiological data suggested a spread within the center. The most probable mode of transmission was contamination with serum from plastic bags used for reinfusing erythrocytes. The estimated mean incubation time was 41 days (range 27 to 59 days).

Zusammenfassung

In einem Plasmapheresezentrum wurden 1977/78 im Rahmen einer Epidemie 30 Plasmaspender mit Nicht-A-, Nicht-B-Hepatitis infiziert. Das Serum eines Spenders löste im Schimpansen eine Nicht-A-, Nicht-B-Hepatitis mit charakteristischen tubulären Veränderungen des endoplasmatischen Retikulums aus. Die Infektionen traten über mehrere Monate auf und zeigten gut dokumentierbare Häufigkeitsgipfel im Dezember 1977 und Ende Januar, Anfang Februar 1978. Aufgrund der epidemiologischen Daten konnte auf eine Ausbreitung der Infektion innerhalb des Zentrums geschlossen werden. Der wahrscheinlichste Übertragungsweg war eine Serumkontamination der für die Wiederinfusion der Erythrozyten verwandten Kunststoffbeutel. Die mittlere Inkubationszeit betrug 41 (27 bis 59) Tage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Erste Medizinische Klinik, Landeskrankenanstalt, Salzburg, Austria

    N. Muss &  F. Sandhofer

  2. Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, University of Munich, Pettenkoferstr. 9a, D-8000, Munich 2

    G. G. Frösner

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  1. N. Muss
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  2. F. Sandhofer
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  3. G. G. Frösner
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Muss, N., Sandhofer, F. & Frösner, G.G. Epidemic outbreak of non-A, non-B hepatitis in a plasmapheresis center. I: Epidemiological observations. Infection 13, 57–60 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01660414

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