Prevalence of Hcv Infection Among Spouses

Abstract

Although interspousal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been studied, the factors responsible for it remain unclear. Two hundreds and eighty nine index patients and their spouses were enrolled in our study. The risk factors of HCV transmission between spouse were investigated in two groups, including 231 cases with negative anti-HCV and 58 cases with positive anti-HCV. All spouses were asked to complete a questionnaire addressing the history of drug abuse, tattooing, operation, blood transfusion, hemodialysis, needle injury, acupuncture, sexually transmitted disease, prostitution, duration of exposure, sharing of nail clippers, toothbrush and chopsticks． Serum samples were collected to test serum ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) in all couples. Quantitative analysis of HCV virus titer was assayed in 120 index patients. Among spouses of 289 index patients with chronic hepatitis C anti-HCV was detected in 58 (20.1%) spouses of them. The duration of exposure is the only statistically significant factor related to interspousal transmission of HCV in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, spouses of patients with chronic hepatitis C are at increased risk of acquiring HCV infection, and the risk increases with the duration of exposure. Because the prevalence of HCV infection in the general population of the study areas is unknown and the HCV genotypes are not analyzed in our study, the actual factors of HCV infection among spouses of patients with chronic hepatitis C need to be further studied.