Determinant roles of environmental contamination and noncompliance with standard precautions in the risk of hepatitis C virus transmission in a hemodialysis unit.

Background: Nosocomial transmission is the second most frequent cause of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. A prospective observational study was conducted to assess the roles of environmental contamination and noncompliance with standard precautions in HCV cross-transmission in a hemodialysis unit.

Methods: Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis in a French university hospital unit were systematically screened, revealing 2 sporadic cases of HCV transmission.