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Updated: Sep 30, 2026

Two Methods of Heterokaryon Formation to Discover HCV Restriction Factors
Published on: July 16, 2012
[Maternal-fetal transmission of HCV. Role of HIV as a risk factor]
D Catalano1, F Pollio, S Ercolano
1Istituto di Ginecologia, Ostetricia, Università degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II.
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.
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