Use of phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) hypervariable region 1 sequences to trace an outbreak of HCV in an autodialysis unit.

Hemodialysis patients are at high risk of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to investigate an HCV outbreak that occurred in an autodialysis unit by using epidemiological and molecular methods. Seroconversion to HCV antibody (anti-HCV) was observed in two patients over an 18-month period; two other patients had previously been recorded as anti-HCV positive.