Intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C.
To identify intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus, we tested for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in serum samples of 160 family members (12 parents, 17 siblings, 73 children, and 58 spouses) of 76 index patients with chronic hepatitis C. Anti-HCV was detected in 14 of 160 family members (8.75%). This positive rate was significantly higher than the anti-HCV-positive rate in age-matched volunteer blood donors in our district (8.75% vs. 1.42%; P less than 0.01). Among 14 members, 5 had normal liver function tests and 9 had hepatitis C. In 4 of 73 children, anti-HCV was detected (5.48% vs. 0.55%; P less than 0.01). In the two children, transmission from mother to child in their childhood was suspected, and in the other children, transmission was from father to child. Furthermore, 7 of 58 spouses (12.1%) had anti-HCV (12.1% vs. 2.13%; P less than 0.01). These results suggest that intrafamilial transmission, especially horizontal infection may play an important role in the spread of hepatitis C.
Takahashi
M
M
First Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
Yamada
G
G
Tsuji
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies