Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus infection

Rooney, Graeme; Gilson, Richard

doi:10.1136/sti.74.6.399

Cited by 82 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 74 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Studies that discuss specific groups, such as those who attend clinics for sexually transmitted diseases like drug abusers, homosexuals and sex workers, reveal findings that differ from those of the general population, and the risks of sexual transmission of HCV increase considerably 12,15,18,23,25,26,37,51,61,65,68,69,83,85,91 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the majority of studies mention rates of between zero and 3%. These low indexes, associated with rare risk factors, suggest that sexual transmission presents a minimal or negligible risk 18,30,31,44,49,51,54,69,82,83,92 .Studies that discuss specific groups, such as those who attend clinics for sexually transmitted diseases like drug abusers, homosexuals and sex workers, reveal findings that differ from those of the general population, and the risks of sexual transmission of HCV increase considerably 12,15,18,23,25,26,37,51,61,65,68,69,83,85,91 . …”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Other studies revealed that, in addition to familial contact and sexual behavior, the sharing of items of personal use, such as razor blades, tooth brushes, nail clippers and manicure pliers can be important in the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C 12,14,16,17,26,29,38,40,49,51,53,55,59,68,73,74,77,78,83,85 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Probably sexual transmission, like other forms of human contact can play a significant role within this group of patients 6,16,28,30,39,57,68,76 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

Cavalheiro

2007

Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

SUMMARYIt is generally agreed that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be efficiently transmitted parenterally, although data on viral transmission by sexual or non-sexual intrafamilial contact are conflicting. Since data collection began in 1989, the first study dealt with the risk of sexual transmission among multiple sex partners. Other investigations followed, emphasizing that risk increases in specific groups such as patients co-infected with HIV and HBV, sex workers, homosexuals, illicit drug users and patients attended at sexually transmittable disease clinics.The question arises as to what might be the risk for monogamous heterosexuals in the general population, in which one of the partners has HCV?The literature provides overall rates that vary from zero to 27%; however, most studies affirm that the chances of sexual transmission are low or almost null, with rates for this mode fluctuating from zero to 3%. Intrafamilial transmission is strongly considered but inconclusive, since when mentioning transmission between sex partners within the same household, specific situations also should be considered, such as the sharing of personal hygiene items, like razorblades, toothbrushes, nail clippers and manicure pliers, which are important risk factors in HCV transmission. In this review, we discuss the hypotheses of sexual and/or intrafamilial transmission.KEYWORDS: Hepatitis C; Transmission; Sexual; Intrafamilial.Patients infected by HCV frequently question whether their infection can be transmitted to their sexual partners, and whether HCV can be transmitted through sexual relations. Common sense suggests that HCV like HBV and HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact, but what is the degree of risk? Does it depend on the population studied? Can risk behavior alter contamination potential 27,34,74 ?Classically, parenteral exposition unites many risk factors that are relevant for HCV transmission, such as the use of illegal drugs, hemodialysis, blood transfusion and blood derivatives, tattoos, organ transplants, acupuncture, sharing of straws for drug inhalation, and accidents in health-care workers 12,26,49,58,71,89 .Convincing evidence for the sexual transmission of HCV requires a history of couples having lived together in sexual activity, the absence of other opportunities for infection, and genetic evidence on the virus, demonstrating that both partners are infected by a virus with very similar genomic sequences. The possession of quality information concerning these questions can aid in providing answers to these issues. However, few studies meet these criteria satisfactorily 22,69,85 . ALTER et al. (1989) 2 presented the first study in which the possibility of HCV transmission was discussed, and considered multiple sex partners as a risk factor. However, the contribution of sexually transmitted HCV remains controversial. In the United States, the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 20 to 25% of the transmission indexes are associated with sexual contact, although ...

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 97%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Probably sexual transmission, like other forms of human contact can play a significant role within this group of patients 6,16,28,30,39,57,68,76 .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

Cavalheiro

2007

Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although HCV viral RNA has been detected in the semen, the role of sexual, perinatal, and other possible nonparenteral routes of HCV transmission is still unclear (7)(8)(9), but from the available evidence this risk appears to be minimal (10). Indeed, even in the presence of acute infection, semen viremia is extremely low as evaluated by PCR (11)(12)(13)(14), suggesting a low risk of sexual transmission.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reproductive Performance of Couples Discordant for Hepatitis B and C Following IVF Treatment

Pirwany

Phillips

Kelly

et al. 2004

J Assist Reprod Genet

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose : To examine the reproductive performance of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) discordant couples following IVF-ET. Methods : A retrospective cohort study of 25 IVF-ET cycles in HBV and HCV discordant couples was performed. Thirteen patients in the study cohort were discordant for HBV (10 males and 3 females), and 12 (9 males and 3 females) for HCV. Twenty-seven consecutive age matched patients comprised the control group. All patients underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using the long downregulation protocol followed by IVF or ICSI. Results : Patients in the three groups (HBV, HCV, and controls) had similar ages, and day 3 FSH concentrations. Despite comparable response to COH, and similar fertilization, and cleavage rates in the three groups, couples discordant for HBV or HCV had significantly poorer implantation and pregnancy rates (7.7%, 0% respectively) compared with controls (41%). Conclusions : Despite comparable response to COH, HBV and HCV positive discordant couples, have significantly lower implantation and pregnancy rates compared with age-matched controls.

show abstract

Use of versant™ TMA and bDNA 3.0 assays to detect and quantify hepatitis C virus in semen

Pekler

Robbins

Nyamathi

et al. 2003

Clinical Laboratory Analysis

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Previous findings of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human semen have been inconsistent. This study attempted to elucidate the presence of HCV in semen from 80 HCV RNA blood plasma positive homeless men using two novel non-PCR based techniques. Semen was frozen immediately upon ejaculation in order to preserve virus quantity. This study demonstrated that 36% of the study population had HCV in semen. Bayer's Versant HCV RNA Qualitative Assay (Bayer Diagnostics, Emeryville, CA) based on transcription mediated amplification (TMA) assay detected 29 positive semen samples and Versant HCV RNA 3.0 Assay (bDNA) (Bayer Diagnostics, Emeryville, CA) detected only six. This demonstrated that TMA was more sensitive than the bDNA in detecting HCV in semen (P<0.002). HCV blood plasma viral load was positively correlated with the presence of HCV in semen (Spearman's Rho=0.40, P<0.0002), while the presence of leukocytes in semen was not (Spearman's Rho=0.19, P<0.12). This supports the hypothesis that HCV is "leaked out" from the peripheral circulation into semen. Three semen samples had a viral load of >5000 IU/mL. The presence of a high viral load in semen in certain men suggests that sexual transmission of the virus is possible. Laboratory capability to accurately detect HCV positive semen is an important step in establishing the risk of sexual transmission and in identifying strategies for protecting uninfected partners.

show abstract

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus infection

Cited by 82 publications

References 74 publications

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

Reproductive Performance of Couples Discordant for Hepatitis B and C Following IVF Treatment

Use of versant™ TMA and bDNA 3.0 assays to detect and quantify hepatitis C virus in semen

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About