Sharps injury or needlestick is a constant fear, with the focus being on the possible transmission of HIV or of Hepatitis B or C, and the associated psychological trauma that goes along with the fear of infection.

But there is more than just HIV and Hep B/C to fear, as we have noted previously on the Clinical Waste Discussion Forum.

In the laboratory, handling of a wide variety of pathogenic virus, fungi, bacteria, and others, the unavoidable use of sharps in the laboratory can result in a wide range of sometimes exotic infections.

The US CDC has reported a rare vaccinia virus infection following needlestick injury to a vaccinated lab worker.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6416a2.htm