[Familial transmission of hepatitis C virus].
OBJECTIVE
The intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus infection was assessed in the family members of patients with chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
The presence of serum anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and epidemiological features were studied in 193 relatives (104 heterosexual partners, 89 children) of 113 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The presence of serum anti-HCV antibodies was detected by an ELISA 2 test and confirmed by a RIBA 2 test. In all patients, liver injury was ascertained by biopsy (31 cirrhosis, 82 chronic active hepatitis).


RESULTS
Eleven of 104 (10.6%) regular heterosexual partners were positive for anti-HCV antibodies. In 8 of these, risk factors were detected (drug addiction: n = 6, blood transfusion: n = 1, occupational exposure: n = 1). Only 3 of 96 (3.2%) regular heterosexual partners without percutaneous risk factors were positive for HCV. Among couples with heterosexual partners negative for anti-HCV antibodies, the mean duration of the sexual relationship was 12 years. Serum anti-HCV antibodies were present in 1 of 89 (1.1%) children without history of blood transfusion or drug addiction. None of the 35 children born after supposed maternal contamination were positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the prevalence of serum anti-HCV antibodies, assessed with second generation tests, in sexual partners of patients with chronic hepatitis C, is lower than previously reported with first generation anti-HCV tests but higher than in the general population (3.2% vs approximately equal to 1%). Serum anti-HCV antibodies were very rarely detected in children from patients with chronic hepatitis C.
David
X R
XR
Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier.
Blanc
P
P
Pageaux
G P
GP
Desprez
D
D
Diaz
D
D
Lemaire
J M
JM
Tognarelli
B
B
Larrey
D
D
Michel
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners
Transmission familiale du virus de l'hépatite C.