Intrafamily spread of hepatitis C virus infection.
Using the second generation ELISA test, we studied the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among 159 household contacts of 86 anti-HCV positive subjects (index cases). Fourteen (8.8%) relatives were found anti-HCV positive, a rate higher than the corresponding figure reported among the general population in the same area. The prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher among sexual partners than among household contacts without sexual relations with the index case (18% vs. 3.1%; P < 0.01). These findings indicate that sexual transmission may be the main route for intrafamily HCV spread.
Marino
N
N
Infectious Diseases Unit, ULS 10/D, Firenze, Italy.
Di Pietro
M
M
Moschitta
P
P
Balocchini
E
E
Chionne
P
P
Spada
E
E
Rapicetta
M
M
Stroffolini
T
T
Mazzotta
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies