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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
13:04

A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication

Published on: June 26, 2014

24.7K

Environmental Stability and Infectivity of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Different Human Body Fluids

Stephanie Pfaender1,2, Fabian A Helfritz3, Anindya Siddharta4

  • 1Institute of Virology and Immunology, Mittelhäusern, Switzerland.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|April 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains infectious for days in body fluids like tears and saliva. Hydrogen-peroxide contact lens solutions effectively inactivated the virus, suggesting a potential transmission route and prevention method.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant global health concern.
  • Transmission routes for HCV remain unidentified in a substantial number of cases.
  • The stability and infectivity of HCV in various human body fluids are not well-characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the stability and infectivity of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in different body fluids.
  • To assess the potential risk of HCV transmission through exposure to contaminated body fluids.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of contact lens solutions in inactivating HCV in tear fluid.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized infectious Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture techniques.
  • Analyzed HCV stability in various body fluids including tears, saliva, semen, and cerebrospinal fluid.
  • Simulated HCV contamination in tear fluid and tested the impact of commercial contact lens solutions.

Main Results:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) demonstrated stability and remained infectious for several days in tears, saliva, semen, and cerebrospinal fluid.
  • Hydrogen-peroxide-based contact lens solutions were highly effective in inactivating HCV.
  • Other tested contact lens solutions did not efficiently inactivate HCV.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) maintains infectivity in various body fluids, posing a potential transmission risk.
  • Direct contact with contaminated body fluids may contribute to HCV transmission.
  • Hydrogen-peroxide solutions show promise for inactivating HCV in specific scenarios, such as contact lens care.

Keywords:
cerebrospinal fluidcontact lens solutionhepatitis C virusinfectivitysalivasementear

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