Intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus.
We studied the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among 530 household contacts of 225 anti-HCV-positive subjects (index cases). Twenty-six (4.9%) relatives had anti-HCV, a proportion higher than that found among blood donors (175 of 22,435; 0.78%) (p less than 0.001). We did not find any differences regarding the type of relation with the index case (sexual or nonsexual). The prevalence of anti-HCV increased with the age of the relatives, with the contact time with the index case, and with the time of exposure to HCV. On the other hand, the anti-HCV was associated mainly with the existence of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in the patient. We concluded that intrafamilial transmission may be an important mechanism in the spread of HCV.
Riestra Menéndez
S
S
S. Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Covadonga, Oviedo, Spain.
Rodríguez García
M
M
Sánchez San Román
F
F
Menéndez Tévar
F
F
Suárez González
A
A
Alvarez Navascués
C
C
Pérez Alvarez
R
R
Rodrigo Sáez
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies