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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
Interspousal transmission of hepatitis C virus
Nasir Khokhar1, Muzaffar Lateef Gill, Ali Yawar
1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Shifa International Hospital and Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan. drnkhokhar@yahoo.com
Insights
This study found that 4.4% of spouses of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) positive patients had anti-HCV antibodies. Common risk factors like injection and transfusion history were observed in both patients and their spouses.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding HCV transmission dynamics, including within households, is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the sero-prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies among spouses of HCV-positive patients.
- To identify potential shared risk factors for HCV infection within marital partnerships.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, from January 2001 to January 2004.
- Spouses of patients diagnosed with HCV (confirmed by anti-HCV and HCV RNA) were tested for anti-HCV using ELISA.
- Demographic data and risk factors, including history of injections and transfusions, were collected.
Main Results:
- A total of 227 spouses were tested for anti-HCV.
- The sero-prevalence of anti-HCV among the tested spouses was 4.4% (10 out of 227).
- No statistically significant differences were observed in mean age, mean years of marriage, or gender proportion between HCV-positive and HCV-negative spouses. Common risk factors included a history of injections.
Conclusions:
- A notable proportion (4.4%) of spouses of HCV-positive patients were found to have anti-HCV antibodies.
- History of injections and transfusions were identified as common risk factors shared between HCV-positive patients and their spouses.
- These findings highlight the potential for intrafamilial transmission and underscore the importance of screening close contacts of HCV-infected individuals.
Objective:
To estimate the sero-prevalence of anti-HCV among the spouses of HCV positive patients.
Design:
A cross-sectional survey.
Place And Duration Of Study:
Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, from January 2001 to January 2004.
Patients And Methods:
Spouses of patients of hepatitis C were studied. Spouses of patients who had hepatitis C by the presence of anti-HCV and HCV RNA (PCR) were tested for anti-HCV by ELISA method.
Results:
A total of 347 consecutive patients were included in the study. Fifty-three patients were single, 48 were widows or divorced and 19 individuals refused to be tested. Thus, 227 patients were available for anti-HCV testing. Out of these 227 spouses tested, 10 (4.4%) were found to be positive for anti-HCV. The mean age of HCV-positive spouses was 44.2 +/- 8.31 years, while that of HCV-negative spouses was 46.37 +/- 11.31 years (p = 0.55). The mean years of marriage of HCV-positive spouses was 20.1 +/- 9.79 years as compared to 21.1 +/- 9.96 years for HCV-negative spouses (p = 0.75). The male proportion of HCV-positive spouses was 60% as compared to 57.6% for HCV-negative spouses (p = 0.9). The patients and spouses had common risk factor of history of injections.
Conclusion:
A positive anti-HCV was found in 4.4% spouses and common risk factors of history of injection and transfusion were noted in the patients and spouses.
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