High Prevalence of Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus among Family Members of Patients with Anti-HCV-Positive Chronic Liver Disease

E. Buscarini I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

E. Tanzi I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

A. R. Zanetti I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

E. Savi I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

G. Sbolli I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

G. Civardi I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

M. Di Stasi I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

F. Fornari I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

L. Buscarini I Division of Medicine and Service of Immunohematology and Transfusion, Hospital of Piacenza, Piacenza, and Institute of Virology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

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Abstract

We have evaluated the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by studying 1) the 107 household contacts of 43 patients with chronic HCV liver disease, 2) the household contacts of 30 anti-HCV-positive donors without liver disease, and 3) 3108 blood donors. We also studied the possible manner of the intrafamilial transmission. The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in the families of index patients was significantly higher than in donors (14.9% as against to 1.7%). All the family members of the anti-HCV-positive donors were anti-HCV negative. We conclude that the person-to-person transmission of HCV is possible and most probable in contacts of anti-HCV-positive patients with liver disease.

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High Prevalence of Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus among Family Members of Patients with Anti-HCV-Positive Chronic Liver Disease

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High Prevalence of Antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus among Family Members of Patients with Anti-HCV-Positive Chronic Liver Disease

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