title: Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus.
abstract: We tested 50 heterosexual partners of hepatitis C viraemic (HCV) individuals, using second generation HCV antibody assays and a validated polymerase chain reaction assay. In none of them were HCV antibodies or HCV-RNA detected. The median duration of the sexual relationship was 13 years. This study, with the most sensitive techniques for detection of HCV, indicates that the risk of sexual transmission of HCV is absent or very low.
authors.affiliation: Red Cross Blood Bank Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bresters
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Mauser-Bunschoten
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Reesink
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roosendaal
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: van der Poel
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Chamuleau
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Weegink
authors.forename: H T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Cuypers
authors.forename: P N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lelie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*