Low rate of HCV transmission from women infected with contaminated anti-D immunoglobulin to their family contacts.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the spread of HCV infection from women infected with batch number proven contaminated anti-D immunoglobulin to their family contacts.


METHODS
Index cases. Sixty women who had been infected with hepatitis C after receiving HCV contaminated anti-D Immunoglobulin. All were positive for HCV antibodies by ELISA (Ortho & Murex, Abbott Laboratories) and RIBA3 (Chiron Corporation, Emerville, California) and were viraemic by PCR for HCV-RNA (Roche Diagnostic Systems, Basel, Switzerland). Liver biopsies were performed in 45 patients. All were in stable longterm relationships.


BACKGROUND
Fifty-five partners and 170 children were tested for HCV antibodies by ELISA (Ortho, Murex). Any positive contact was also tested for antibody by RIBA-3, HCV RNA by PCR, genotype determined and also had a liver biopsy performed.


RESULTS
No male partners and only one child tested positive for HCV antibodies indicating low exposure over a combined time period of 862 years for partners and 2465 years for children.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests a zero female to male sexual transmission rate of HCV and a low vertical transmission rate in anti-D associated HCV infection.
Sachithanandan
S
S
Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Fielding
J F
JF
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D004340:Drug Contamination; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014766:Viremia
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous