Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus infection.
The role of sexual transmission in the diffusion of HCV infection, was studied through the seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in the heterosexual habitual partners of 83 anti-HCV positive subjects. The index cases were represented by 10 dialysed subjects, 31 patients with chronic liver disease and 42 healthy carriers. Seroprevalence of anti-HCV positivity reported in partners was 8.43%, with a higher rate in cohabitants of patients with chronic liver disease (16.12% vs 4.76% of carriers); no case was found among partners of dialysed subjects Laboratory and ultrasonograph signs of chronic hepatitis were reported in 3 cases (3.61%). Control on 70% of the cohabitants' relatives, was negative for HCV infections. These data suggest a possible sexual transmission of HCV infection, even if its prevalence resulted modest, undoubtedly lower than in other disease sexually transmitted.
Scotto
G
G
Divisione Nefrologia e Dialisi, OORR, Foggia, Italy.
Savastano
A M
AM
Fazio
V
V
Conte
P E
PE
Ferrara
S
S
Mangano
A
A
Tantimonaco
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology