Risk Factors For HCV Transmission Research Articles

Acute hepatitis C infection in HIV positive men who have sex with men in Paris, France, 2001-2004.

In mid-2004, three Parisian hospital wards informed the Institut de veille sanitaire of recent acute hepatitis C in HIV-infected (HIV+) men who had sex with men (MSM). These cases for whom none of the usual bloodborne routes for hepatitis C (HCV) transmission was found, reported having had unprotected sex. In October 2004, we conducted a retrospective investigation in Parisian hospital wards to explore HCV modes of transmission in recent acute hepatitis C in HIV+ MSM. Patient demographics, clinical and biological status of HIV infection, reasons for HCV testing, sexual behaviour and risk factors for HCV transmission within the 6 months before hepatitis onset were collected from medical records. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire on sexual behaviour within the six months before hepatitis onset was also offered to all cases. We identified 29 cases of acute hepatitis C in HIV+ MSM with onset from April 2001 to October 2004. HIV infection was asymptomatic for 76%. Median age at hepatitis C onset was 40 (28-54) years. In all records, were noted unprotected anal sex, fisting in 21% and a concomitant sexually transmitted infection (STI) in 41%. Median time between HIV diagnosis and HCV infection was 6.5 years (0-22). From the 11 self-administered questionnaires completed, 10 reported an STI, 8 "hard" sexual practices, 6 bleeding during sex and 5 fisting. HCV transmission probably occurred through bleeding during unprotected traumatic anal sex among HIV+ MSM and may be facilitated by STI mucosal lesions. This report stresses the continuous need to strongly advocate safer sex to MSM.

Risk factors for HCV infection in two haemodialysis units in the Netherlands

Background: In order to assess risk factors for HCV infection during haemodialysis, all patients receiving haemodialysis for more than 6 months in two separate units in the Netherlands were studied retrospectively.Methods: Antibodies to HCV, HCV-RNA and HCV genotypes were determined. Risk factors were identified by analysis of an extensive collection of clinical data.Results: In unit A, 8 out of 75 (11%) patients and in unit B 4 out of 122 (3%) patients had antibodies to HCV. Eleven out of the 12 anti-HCV-positive patients had detectable HCV-RNA. Genotyping showed the presence of 4 different genotypes in unit A (1, 1a, 2b, and 3a). Three patients in unit B were infected with the same genotype (1b), where one of these patients was also infected with genotype 1a. One patient in unit B did not have detectable HCV-RNA. The risk of acquiring a HCV infection in unit A was associated with the number of blood transfusions. However, in unit B this risk was associated with the duration of dialysis. Other factors such as the number of surgical procedures were not associated with HCV infection.Conclusions: Blood transfusions and the dialysis process itself are important and independent risk factors for HCV transmission in dialysis patients. Surgical events do not appear to be important risk factors. However, relative risks may vary considerably between different dialysis centres.

Anti-hepatitis C antibody prevalence among intravenous drug addicts in the Catanzaro area.

A higher seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibodies (63.4%) was found in 41 intravenous drug addicts (IVDA) when compared to 220 controls (1.8%). Life style is an important risk factor for HCV transmission among IVDA.