title: Hepatitis B and C in heterosexual patients with various sexually transmitted diseases.
abstract: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections were prospectively assessed in 356 heterosexuals with STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and compared to a control group of 381 healthy first-time blood donors. Eighty-one of 356 STD patients were anti-HBC positive (22.8%) compared to 14/381 blood donors (3.8%; p less than 0.001). In addition, 18 of the 81 anti-HBC positive STD patients, but none of the controls, were positive for HBSAg (p = 0.06). The prevalence for anti-HCV was also significantly higher in the STD group than in the controls (5.3% vs. 0.5%; p less than 0.001). Among the various STDs syphilis (anti-HBC: 67.5%; anti-HCV: 12.5%) and Chlamydia trachomatis infections (anti-HBc: 20.2%, anti-HCV: 8.1%) had the highest prevalence for both infections. This study provides strong evidence of heterosexual transmission of hepatitis B and C virus infections. Thus, heterosexuals with STDs or multiple partners should be actively vaccinated against hepatitis B.
authors.affiliation: Universitätskrankenhaus Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clemens
authors.forename: H L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Bock
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Friese
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hess
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens