Sexual and non-sexual intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus: intrafamilial transmission of HCV

Eur J Epidemiol. 1998 Apr;14(3):225-8. doi: 10.1023/a:1007455509185.

Abstract

The rate of intrafamilial transmission of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) was investigated in 90 family members of 41 index patients with type C chronic liver disease. Antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) was detected by the EIA method (Abbott-Axsym Sys) and Hepatitis C virus RNA, by the polymerase chain reaction (Nested PCR). We also investigated the presence of anti-HCV in 350 healthy persons (control group). The subjects in the study included 38 spouses, 45 children and others (1 relative and 6 parents). Four family members including 3/38 (7.8%) spouses and 1 sister were found to be positive for anti HCV antibodies but none had HCV RNA. Anti-HCV was not detected in the children of index patients. The prevalence of anti-HCV in the families of index patients was significantly higher than in the controls (4.3% versus 0.85%) (p = 0.0355). We concluded that the intrafamilial transmission of HCV is possible but occurs at a low rate.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Disease Transmission, Infectious / statistics & numerical data
  • Family Health*
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis C / transmission*
  • Hepatitis C / virology
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nuclear Family
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases / classification
  • Turkey / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral