Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence in patients attending a sexual health centre

To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients attending the Christchurch sexual health centre.

Anonymised unlinked serum specimens from 362 patients sequentially attending the sexual health centre were obtained and tested for HCV antibody using the second generation enzyme immunoassay kit (Abbott). Antibody positive samples were assayed for virus by amplification of hepatitis C ribonucleic acid (RNA).

Twelve patients (3.3%) were seropositive and 10 samples were also positive for virus RNA (2.7%). In 50% of cases the patients had no discernible risk factors other than unprotected sexual intercourse. An overall serum prevalence of 22% (4/19) was noted within a sub population who admitted to intravenous drug use. Ninety patients had, at the time of consultation, requested an antibody test for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There were no antibodies to HIV detected in any of these patients nor any statistical difference in HCV antibody prevalence within this group.

Hepatitis C is a common viral infection within the community. A significant percentage of patients who were anti HCV positive had no discernible risk factors other than sexual transmission which must be considered as a mode of transmission. We concur with the Department of Health guidelines emphasising the need for safer sex practices in a patient with a diagnosis of hepatitis C.