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[Familial transmission of hepatitis C virus]
X R David1, P Blanc, G P Pageaux
1Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, Montpellier.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission within families is low, with sexual partners showing a 3.2% infection rate. Children of infected parents rarely contract hepatitis C, indicating limited intrafamilial spread.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Viral Gastroenterology
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Public Health
Context:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant public health challenge.
- Understanding intrafamilial transmission is crucial for prevention strategies.
- Previous studies on HCV transmission had limitations due to older testing methods.
Purpose:
- To assess the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
- To evaluate the prevalence of HCV antibodies in sexual partners and children of chronically infected patients.
- To compare transmission rates using second-generation HCV antibody tests.
Summary:
- Serum anti-HCV antibodies were found in 10.6% of heterosexual partners, with 3.2% having no identifiable risk factors.
- Only 1.1% of children tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies, and none born after maternal infection showed positivity.
- Prevalence in sexual partners is lower than with older tests but higher than the general population.
Impact:
- Provides updated data on HCV transmission dynamics within families.
- Highlights the lower risk of sexual transmission compared to previous estimates.
- Informs public health policies and clinical management of chronic hepatitis C patients and their families.
Objectives:
The intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus infection was assessed in the family members of patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Methods:
The presence of serum anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and epidemiological features were studied in 193 relatives (104 heterosexual partners, 89 children) of 113 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The presence of serum anti-HCV antibodies was detected by an ELISA 2 test and confirmed by a RIBA 2 test. In all patients, liver injury was ascertained by biopsy (31 cirrhosis, 82 chronic active hepatitis).
Results:
Eleven of 104 (10.6%) regular heterosexual partners were positive for anti-HCV antibodies. In 8 of these, risk factors were detected (drug addiction: n = 6, blood transfusion: n = 1, occupational exposure: n = 1). Only 3 of 96 (3.2%) regular heterosexual partners without percutaneous risk factors were positive for HCV. Among couples with heterosexual partners negative for anti-HCV antibodies, the mean duration of the sexual relationship was 12 years. Serum anti-HCV antibodies were present in 1 of 89 (1.1%) children without history of blood transfusion or drug addiction. None of the 35 children born after supposed maternal contamination were positive for serum anti-HCV antibodies.
Conclusions:
We conclude that the prevalence of serum anti-HCV antibodies, assessed with second generation tests, in sexual partners of patients with chronic hepatitis C, is lower than previously reported with first generation anti-HCV tests but higher than in the general population (3.2% vs approximately equal to 1%). Serum anti-HCV antibodies were very rarely detected in children from patients with chronic hepatitis C.