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Intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus

Ausbreitung des Hepatitis-C-Virus in Familien

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Summary

We studied the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) among 530 household contacts of 225 anti-HCV- positive subjects (index cases). Twenty-six (4.9%) relatives had anti-HCV, a proportion higher than that found among blood donors (175 of 22,435; 0.78%) (p<0.001). We did not find any differences regarding the type of relation with the index case (sexual or nonsexual). The prevalence of anti- HCV increased with the age of the relatives, with the contact time with the index case, and with the time of exposure to HCV. On the other hand, the anti-HCV was associated mainly with the existence of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in the patient. We concluded that intrafamilial transmission may be an important mechanism in the spread of HCV.

Zusammenfassung

530 Kontaktpersonen im häuslichen Bereich von 225 anti-HCV-positiven Personen (Indexfälle) wurden auf Antikörper gegen HCV untersucht. 26 Verwandte (4,9% der Untersuchten) waren anti-HCV-positiv. Dieser Prozentsatz übersteigt bei weitem den von Blutspendern (175 von 22.435 positiv; 0,78%); (p<0,001). Es fanden sich keine Unterschiede im Hinblick auf eine sexuelle oder nicht sexuelle Beziehung zwischen Indexfall und Kontaktperson. Die anti-HCV-Prävalenz nahm mit dem Alter der Verwandten und der Dauer des Kontaktes mit dem Indexfall und der Expositionszeit gegenüber HCV zu. Bei den Patienten bestand in der Mehrzahl der Fälle ein Zusammentreffen von anti-HCV-Positivität und Leberzirrhose oder hepatozellulärem Karzinom. Wir schließen aus unseren Beobachtungen, daß die übertragung in der Familie möglicherweise ein wichtiger Ausbreitungsweg für HCV ist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. S. Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Covadonga, C/Celestino Villamil s/n, E-33006, Oviedo

    S. Riestra Menéndez M.D., R. Rodríguez García M.D., A. Suárez González M.D., Carmen Alvarez Navascués M.D., R. Pérez Alvarez M.D. & L. Rodrigo Sáez M.D.

  2. Community Transfusion Center, C/Emilio Rodríguez Villamil s/n, E-33006, Oviedo, Spain

    F. Menéndez Tévar M.D. & F. Sánchez San Román M.D.

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  1. S. Riestra Menéndez M.D.
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  2. R. Rodríguez García M.D.
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  3. A. Suárez González M.D.
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  4. Carmen Alvarez Navascués M.D.
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  5. R. Pérez Alvarez M.D.
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  6. L. Rodrigo Sáez M.D.
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  7. F. Menéndez Tévar M.D.
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  8. F. Sánchez San Román M.D.
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Riestra Menéndez, S., Rodríguez García, R., Suárez González, A. et al. Intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus. Infection 19, 431–433 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01726456

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01726456

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