Minimising the risk of prion transmission by contact tonometry.
Br J Ophthalmol
; 87(11): 1360-2, 2003 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14609834
ABSTRACT
AIMS:
The unknown prevalence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in the UK population has led to fears of horizontal transmission through routine medical procedures. The potential risk of transmission via contact tonometry was examined.METHODS:
The total amount of protein carried over by tonometer tips after applanation of patients was assessed.RESULTS:
Tonometer tips had an inherent ability to carry proteinaceous material. There was a large variability in the load carried over between individual patients. Rinsing tonometer tips in water reduced protein carryover. Wiping the tonometer tips also reduced carriage, though less dramatically.CONCLUSION:
There is a small theoretical risk of transmission of vCJD by contact tonometry through reuse, but this should be reduced if the prisms are washed and wiped. In the light of these findings a protocol for the management of reusable tonometer prisms is recommended.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Descontaminação
/
Doenças Priônicas
/
Manometria
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Br J Ophthalmol
Ano de publicação:
2003
Tipo de documento:
Article