N CaporasoØ{1}, T StroffoliniØ{2}, F Mennitti IppolitoØ{2}, A AscioneØ{3}, I FalzaranoØ{1}, G Del Vecchio BlancoØ{1}, C TuccilloØ{1}, F MoriscoØ{1}. Department of Internal Medicine, II University of NaplesØ{1}, Laboratory of Epidemiology, ISS RomeØ{2}, Division of Pathofisiology, "A Cardarelli" Hospital, NaplesØ{3}
It is not well known if familial environment plays some role in community-acquired HCV infection.
Aim:
To verify modes of intrafamilial transmission of HCV.
Patients and Methods:
In a multicentre study, a cohort of 1509 household contacts (455
spouses, 924 other family members, 130 non-tested) of 585 anti-HCV
and HCV-RNA positive patients, affected by histologically proven
chronic hepatitis, were enrolled. HCV-antibodies were tested by
ELISA III (Ortho Diagnostic System) and HCV-RNA by RT-PCR in all
positive family members.
Results:
The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in spouses is higher than in
other relatives; 15.6% (71/455) vs. 3.2% (30/924) (p<0.01). The
prevalence of anti-HCV positivity resulted higher in spouses with
more than 20 years of marriage than in those with less; 19.8% and
8.0% respectively (O.R. 2.8; C.I. 95% 1.5-5.3). At the multivariate
analysis, the condition of spouse of an HCV positive carrier is
independently associated from other variables (any parenteral
exposure and age) to the likelihood of being HCV positive
(Table).
VARIABLES O.R. C.I.95%
Any parenteral exposure 4.3 1.7-11.0
Spouse vs other relationship 2.0 1.2-3.4
Age>45 vs <45 3.7 2.2-6.5
Conclusions:
Spouses have a 2-fold risk to be HCV infected compared to other
relatives. Sexual transmission may play some role in the
intrafamily spread of HCV infection. Even if the risk is low,
spouses of HCV positive carriers should be counselled about this
mode of HCV transmission.
Source: American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases - 1996 Annual Meeting