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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
Covert transmission of hepatitis C virus during bloody fisticuffs
M Bourlière1, P Halfon, Y Quentin
1Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Hôpital Saint Joseph, Marseille, France. mbourliere@hopital-saintjoseph.fr
Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted primarily through direct percutaneous exposure to infected blood. Sporadic HCV cases exist and may represent more than 10% of HCV transmission. We report the first case of documented transmission of HCV during a fight from a person who unknowingly had chronic HCV infection to a person who subsequently contracted acute hepatitis C. Patient-to-patient transmission was ascertained by sequence analysis of part of the NS5B genome and phylogenetic analysis. This case report suggests that sporadic HCV infection may be a result of blood exposure. This example of transmission could have a major impact in sports such as boxing or rugby. We suggest that in any fight, single use or nondisposable material should be used to dry blood to avoid such contamination.
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