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Hepatitis C among risk groups for HIV and hepatitis B
S Vanderschueren1, L Van Renterghem, J Plum
1Laboratory for Bacteriology and Virology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Insights
Intravenous drug users show high hepatitis C virus (HCV) seroprevalence. Sexual transmission is unlikely, with parenteral exposure being the primary route for HCV infection.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sexual transmission of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is not well understood.
- High-risk groups for HIV and Hepatitis B were assessed for HCV seropositivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in various high-risk populations.
- To determine the primary routes of HCV transmission.
Main Methods:
- Serological testing for anti-HCV antibodies was performed.
- Populations studied included intravenous drug users, dialysis patients, nursing staff, serology technicians, prostitutes, and homosexual men (both HIV-infected and healthy).
Main Results:
- Intravenous drug users exhibited a high HCV seroprevalence (38/81).
- Dialysis patients, nursing staff, and serology technicians showed low HCV prevalence (5%, 0%, and 0% respectively).
- Prostitutes and homosexual men (healthy and HIV-infected) also demonstrated very low HCV seroprevalence (3.5%, 0.8%, 0.0% respectively).
Conclusions:
- Parenteral exposure is the most significant route for acquiring Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.
- Sexual promiscuity, whether heterosexual or homosexual, is not associated with a high risk of HCV transmission.
Abstract:
In order to obtain more information on sexual transmission of hepatitis C (HCV) we compared different high-risk groups for HIV and hepatitis B to see if they were seropositive for HCV. A high seroprevalence (38/81) of hepatitis C (HCV) was found among intravenous drug users. Nursing staff (n = 35) and patients of a dialysis unit (n = 57) had a low prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies (0% and 5%, respectively). Serology laboratory technicians also had a very low prevalence (0% out of 29). Among prostitutes (n = 114), healthy homosexual men (n = 132) and HIV-infected homosexual men (n = 31), we found a remarkably low seroprevalence of HCV (3.5%, 0.8% and 0.0% respectively). These data support the view that parenteral exposure to the virus is the most important way of acquiring the infection and that neither heterosexual nor homosexual promiscuity are associated with a high risk of transmission of hepatitis C.