Abstract
If vertical transmission is an important mode of spread of HIV and HBV infections, it is not; known to what extent vertical transmission of blood-borne non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) agent(s) occurs. To determine the possible HCV vertical transmission we followed HCV antibody levels in 26 infants born to HCV/HIV positive mothers. All children have been followed since birth by serial determination at 0, 1, 3 months and every three months thereafter. Antibody to HCV were tested by an Elisa method (Ortho Diagnostic Systems, N.J. USA) on stored frozen sera. In all children maternal HCV antibodies declined to undetectable levels within 2-4 months of age. In 5/26 (19.2%) an active production of HCV antibodies was observed 3-4 months after an elevation of serum ALT values. The diagnosis of NANB hepatitis was made according to the usual exclusion criteria. Thus, contrary to previous reports, our data suggest that a vertical transmission of HCV infection is possible and frequent at least in children of HIV positive mothers.
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