Hepatitis C virus antibodies in homosexual men and intravenous drug users in Denmark.
In order to evaluate the role of sexual transmission and parenteral transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in homosexual men and intravenous drug users (IVDU) serum samples from 147 homosexual men and 126 IVDU were tested for anti-HCV. Anti-HCV was found in two (1.4%) of the homosexual men and in 123 (98%) of IVDU. The presence of anti-HCV could not be correlated to the presence of HBV markers or HIV-antibodies. HCV is widespread among Danish IVDU. Risk of sexual transmission seems low even though sexual contact is a much more prevalent risk factor than needle sharing.
Westh
H
H
Dept. of Clinical Microbiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Worm
A M
AM
Jensen
B L
BL
Kroon
S
S
Kvinesdal
B
B
Nielsen
C M
CM
Wantzin
P
P
D000328:Adult; D003718:Denmark; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies