Abstract
The role of sexual transmission in the diffusion of HCV infection, was studied through the seroprevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in the heterosexual habitual partners of 83 anti-HCV positive subjects. The index cases were represented by 10 dialysed subjects, 31 patients with chronic liver disease and 42 healthy carriers. Seroprevalence of anti-HCV positivity reported in partners was 8.43%, with a higher rate in cohabitants of patients with chronic liver disease (16.12% vs 4.76% of carriers); no case was found among partners of dialysed subjects. Laboratory and ultrasonograph signs of chronic hepatitis were reported in 3 cases (3.61%). Control on 70% of the cohabitants' relatives, was negative for HCV infections. These data suggest a possible sexual transmission of HCV infection, even if its prevalence resulted modest, undoubtedly lower than in other disease sexually transmitted.
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Scotto, G., Savastano, A.M., Fazio, V. et al. Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus infection. Eur J Epidemiol 12, 241–244 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00145412
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00145412