[Hepatitis C virus infection in sex workers].
OBJECTIVE
The work assessed the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a representative sample of both male and female sex workers with the aim of assessing sexual transmission of HCV infection.


METHODS
In the first four months of 2006, a total of 209 (195 females, average age 26, average time of providing sexual services 25 months) sex workers from 29 Moravian clubs were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by the immunochromatographic assay using a drop of capillary blood.


RESULTS
Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 2 female prostitutes (less than 1 %) of whom one reported intravenous drug use in the past suggestive of blood-borne infection rather than sexual transmission. Nearly half of the subjects (44.5 %) admitted intravenous use of drugs, especially crystal speed ("pervitin"). STDs were reported only by less than 3 % of the subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
In the Czech Republic, sexual transmission of HCV infection is of minor importance. Drug abuse is very common among sex workers.
Husa
Petr
P
Department Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Brno, Jihlavská 20, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic. phusa@med.muni.cz
Kohoutková
Monika
M
D000328:Adult; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011477:Sex Work
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies