Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Intrafamilial Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

  • Hepatitis
  • Published:
European Journal of Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: The role of intrafamilial HCV transmission is still controversial. Methods: An overall sample of 2856 consecutive HCV-infected patients was studied. All index cases were interviewed to identify potential risk factors for transmission and underwent the following tests: HBsAg, anti-HBc, HIV, and, qualitative HCV-RNA and genotyping. Results: Coinfection with HBsAg was recorded in 4.7%, and with HIV in 2.6% of the HCV-infected index cases. Anti-HCV was detected in 2.1% of the members of their original families, and in 13.8% of 2662 sexual partners. The overall rate of infection for offspring was 2.3%, but the risk was significantly higher when the index case was female. The risk for sexual partners was significantly higher when the risk factor for the index case was intravenous drug (IVD) use rather than blood transfusion. Logistic regression analysis showed that female gender and drug addiction in sexual partners of index case were independent factors significantly associated with HCV transmission to sexual partners. Conclusions: Among all family members of index cases, sexual partners of IVD users were at greatest risk of HCV infection. Sexual transmission may not be the main route of transmission though, since IVD use in the sexual partners themselves was independently associated with HCV infection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. MI Memon MA. Memon (2002) ArticleTitleHepatitis C: An epidemiological review J Viral Hepatitis 9 84–100 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2893.2002.00329.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD383ktFGrtw%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. T Poynard M-F Yuen V Ratziu CL. Lai (2003) ArticleTitleViral hepatitis C Lancet 362 2095–2100 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0140-6736(03)15109-4 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXpvFylsb0%3D Occurrence Handle14697814

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. S Bellentani C Tiribelli G Saccoccio et al. (1994) ArticleTitlePrevalence of chronic liver disease in the general population of northern Italy: the Dionysos Study Hepatology 20 1442–1449 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2M%2FntlKrtQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle7982643 Occurrence Handle10.1002/hep.1840200611

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. G Maio P d’Argenio T Stroffolini et al. (2000) ArticleTitleHepatitis C virus infection and alanine transaminase levels in the general population: a survey in a southern Italian town J Hepatol 33 116–120 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0168-8278(00)80167-1 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXltV2rtb4%3D Occurrence Handle10905594

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. V Guadagnino T Stroffolini M Rapicetta et al. (1997) ArticleTitlePrevalence, risk factors, and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus infection in the general population: a community-based survey in southern Italy Hepatology 26 1006–1011 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2svms12rtQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9328327

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. R Stefano ParticleDi T Stroffolini D Ferraro et al. (2002) ArticleTitleEndemic hepatitis C virus infection in a Sicilian town: further evidence for iatrogenic transmission J Med Virol 67 339–344 Occurrence Handle10.1002/jmv.10081 Occurrence Handle12116024

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. T Stroffolini M Menchinelli G Taliani et al. (1995) ArticleTitleHigh prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in a small central Italian town: lack of evidence of parenteral exposure Ital J Gastroenterol 27 235–238 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK28%2FkvValsw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle8541572

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. C Campello A Poli G Dal Molin F. Besozzi-Valentini (2002) ArticleTitleSeroprevalence, viremia and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus: a community-based population study in northern Italy Infection 30 7–12 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s15010-001-1197-4 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD387ksVWjtA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11876521

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. RC Coppola G Masia P Pradat et al. (2000) ArticleTitleImpact of hepatitis C virus infection on healthy subjects on an Italian island J Viral Hepatitis 7 130–137 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2893.2000.00199.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3itlylsA%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. V Baldo A Floreani T Menegon G Angiolelli R. Trivello (2000) ArticleTitlePrevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus in the elderly: a seroepidemiological study in a nursing home and in an open population Gerontology 46 194–198 Occurrence Handle10.1159/000022159 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvgsVSkuw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10859458

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Z Ackerman E Ackerman O. Paltiel (2000) ArticleTitleIntrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus: a systematic review J Viral Hepatitis 7 93–103 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2893.2000.00203.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c3itlymug%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. N Napoli G Fiore F Vella G Fera O. Schiraldi (1993) ArticleTitlePrevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among family members of patients with chronic hepatitis C Eur J Epidemiol 9 629–632 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00211437 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2c3gtVeltg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle7512051

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. N Marino M Di Pietro P Moschitta et al. (1994) ArticleTitleIntrafamily spread of hepatitis C virus infection New Microbiol 17 147–150 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2czksVSnsQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle7520522

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. N Caporaso A Ascione M D’Antonio et al. (1995) ArticleTitlePrevalence of anti-HCV among spouses and offspring of anti-HCV positive subjects: an Italian multicentre study Ital J Gastroenterol 27 5–7 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2MzhsFKisA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle7540896

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. L Demelia E Vallebona R Poma G Sanna G Masia RC Coppola (1996) ArticleTitleHCV transmission in family members of subjects with HCV related chronic liver disease Eur J Epidemiol 12 45–50 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00144427 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK28vhsVWitQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle8817177

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. E Sagnelli GB Gaeta FM Felaco et al. (1997) ArticleTitleHepatitis C virus infection in households of anti-HCV chronic carriers in Italy: a multicentre case-control study Infection 25 346–349 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF01740815 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c%2FovVCqsw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9427052

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. V Guadagnino T Stroffolini A Focà B Caroleo L Loiacono A. Giancotti (1998) ArticleTitleHepatitis C virus infection in family setting Eur J Epidemiol 14 229–232 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1007459626023 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1czis1KntQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9663514

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. N Caporaso A Ascione T. Stroffolini (1998) ArticleTitleInvestigators of an Italian Multicenter Group Spread of hepatitis C virus infection within families J Vital Hepat 5 67–72 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2893.1998.00085.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c7lt1GisQ%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. S Brusaferro F Barbone P Andrian et al. (1999) ArticleTitleA study on the role of the family and other risk factors in HCV transmission Eur J Epidemiol 15 125–132 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1007554500896 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M3hvFegtw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10204641

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. C Sciacca R Pellicano M Berretti et al. (2001) ArticleTitleSexual transmission of hepatitis C virus: the Turin study Panminerva Med 43 229–231 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3Mnkt1yntA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11677415

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. T Stroffolini U Lorenzoni F Menniti-Ippolito D Infantolino M. Chiaramonte (2001) ArticleTitleHepatitis C virus infection in spouses: sexual transmission or common exposure to the same risk factor? Am J Gastroenterol 96 3138–3141 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1572-0241.2001.05267.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3Mnns1Gnsw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11721761

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. AM Mastromatteo GL Rapaccini M Pompili et al. (2001) ArticleTitleHepatitis C virus infection: other biological fluids than blood may be responsible for intrafamilial spread Hepatogastroenterology 48 193–196 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7mvVensQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11268963

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. YS Kim YO Ahn HS. Lee (2002) ArticleTitleRisk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among Koreans according to the hepatitis C virus genotype J Korean Med Sci 17 187–192 Occurrence Handle11961301

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. M Chiaramonte T Stroffolini U Lorenzoni et al. (1996) ArticleTitleRisk factors in community-acquired chronic hepatitis C virus: a case-control study in Italy J Hepatol 24 129–134 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0168-8278(96)80020-1 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK2s%2FmtlKqtQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle8907564

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. NA. Terrault (2002) ArticleTitleSexual activity as a risk factor for hepatitis C Hepatology 36 S99–S105 Occurrence Handle10.1002/hep.1840360713 Occurrence Handle12407582

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. H Zylberberg V Thiers D Lagorce et al. (1999) ArticleTitleEpidemiological and virological analysis of couples infected with hepatitis C virus Gut 45 112–116 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M3pvVahtw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10369713 Occurrence Handle10.1136/gut.45.1.112

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. C Vandelli F Renzo L Romano et al. (2004) ArticleTitleLack of evidence of sexual transmission of hepatitis C among monogamous couples: results of a 10-year prospective follow-up study Am J Gastroenterol 99 855–859 Occurrence Handle10.1111/j.1572-0241.2004.04150.x Occurrence Handle15128350

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Bergamo Hospital, Bergamo, Italy

    Eliseo Minola

  2. Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

    Vincenzo Baldo, Tatjana Baldovin & Renzo Trivello

  3. Department of Surgical and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

    Tatjana Baldovin & Annarosa Floreani

Authors
  1. Eliseo Minola
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vincenzo Baldo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tatjana Baldovin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Renzo Trivello
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Annarosa Floreani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Annarosa Floreani.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Minola, E., Baldo, V., Baldovin, T. et al. Intrafamilial Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Infection. Eur J Epidemiol 21, 293–297 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-006-0016-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-006-0016-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation