Antibody to hepatitis C virus among cardiac surgery patients, homosexual men, and intravenous drug users in Baltimore, Maryland.
In order to define the risk factors for infection with hepatitis C virus, the authors determined the prevalence and incidence of antibodies to hepatitis C in three cohorts in Baltimore, Maryland, enrolled in prospective studies of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Among 500 multi-transfused patients who underwent cardiac surgery in 1985 and 1986, 12 (2.4%) were hepatitis C seropositive before surgery while 19 (3.9%) developed antibodies in the 8-12 months after surgery. The seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus among 225 intravenous drug users followed since 1988 was 85%, which did not vary by HIV-1 status. Longer duration of intravenous drug use was significantly associated with hepatitis C seropositivity. Among 926 homosexual/bisexual men followed since 1984, 15 (1.6%) were hepatitis C seropositive; only intravenous drug use and a history of hepatitis A were marginally associated with hepatitis C in this population. No association was found between hepatitis C virus and HIV-1 or sexual behavior variables in this population. These data suggest that hepatitis C is readily transmitted by blood exposure, but is transmitted inefficiently by sexual means.
Donahue
J G
JG
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD.
Nelson
K E
KE
Muñoz
A
A
Vlahov
D
D
Rennie
L L
LL
Taylor
E L
EL
Saah
A J
AJ
Cohn
S
S
Odaka
N J
NJ
Farzadegan
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies