Hepatitis C in a hemodialysis unit: Molecular evidence for nosocomial transmission

This study reports four casts of transmission of the rare hepatitis C virus genotype 4 which occurred in a hemodialysis unit and originated from a single source of infection. Phylogenetic analyses performed with the NS5b domain showed that ail four patients with secondary infections were infected with virus strains very similar to that of the index patient. Cross infections probably resulted from breaches in safety precautions and lack; of dialysis machine sterilization.