title: [Maternal-fetal transmission of HCV. Role of HIV as a risk factor].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to determine the rate of vertical transmission of hepatitis C and to analyse the concomitant infection by HIV as a risk factor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have studied the perinatal transmission of HCV in 22 pregnancies: 14 in women HCV+/HIV-, 8 in women HCV+/HIV+. We have performed the following tests on sera: test RIBA II to search for Ab anti-HCV, alanine transaminase (ALT) evaluation and HCV-RNA research by PCR. These tests were performed on sera from infants at birth and, then, during one year every three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within one year Ab anti-HCV disappeared in 20 of 22 pregnancies: two infants positive by Ab anti-HCV were born to HIV+ mothers and they were the only two who showed abnormal ALT values and detectable levels of HCV-RNA. Finally 10 of 14 infants born to HCV+/HIV- mothers were breast-fed and none was infected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that HCV mother-to-child transmission is an uncommon event, breast-milking is safety, and the concomitant infection by HIV could represent a risk factor for vertical transmission of hepatitis C.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ginecologia, Ostetricia, Università degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pollio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ercolano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ascione
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Desantis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Russo
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
vernacular_title: La trasmissione materno-fetale dell'HCV. Ruolo dell'HIV quale fattore di rischio.