Transmission of hepatitis C virus by saliva?

Abstract

Saliva can contain a range of infectious agents and, despite several antimicrobial mechanisms, transmission of these can occur. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is of increasing importance, and HCV is transmitted by unknown routes as well as by the percutaneous route and sexual contact. Contact with blood or other body fluids may be responsible, as may be receipt of unscreened blood or blood product transfusions. HCV-RNA can be detected by the polymerase chain reaction which also shows that HCV may be present in the saliva of HCV-infected patients. This might provide an argument for the possible transmission of HCV via contaminated saliva. Epidemiological studies however, suggest that the infective capacity of HCV viral particles in saliva is low, but it has not been possible to determine their infective potential. Moreover, HCV-specific receptors have not been defined on oral epithelial cells, nor has the role of host defence mechanisms been determined. New experimental animal models and the recently described infectious HCV pseudoparticles, capable of simulating HCV replication in vitro, could be useful in establishing any role of saliva in the transmission of HCV infection.

Characterization of a canine homolog of hepatitis C virus

“…It remains to be determined whether the unique stem-loop I of CHV allows it to replicate in a manner independent of miR-122 or influences tissue tropism. Although reverse-genetic experiments wherein genomic regions are swapped between HCV and CHV will be required to address these questions, we note that, although CHV is found at high levels in respiratory samples of infected animals, only low or undetectable levels of HCV RNA are typically detected in respiratory samples from HCV-infected humans (46). A significant difference in life span of humans and canines can also affect the disease pattern caused by genetically related viruses.…”

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

“…Another question concerning the sexual transmission of HCV is the presence of the virus in secretions, saliva 20,21 , semen 8,59 and menstrual blood 78 . Some studies raise the issue and discuss the most probable pathway of infection, and whether it is from men to women or from women to men.…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C and factors associated with this in crack users

“…The literature (2)(3)(4)(5) refers to the presence of RNA-HCV in body fluids such as saliva, peripheral lymph nodes and semen. It is worth noting that although the virus is found in low titrations, this form of transmission must be considered.…”

“…There are innumerable studies on the presence of RNA-HCV in the saliva (2)(3)(4)(5) but their results vary, reflecting the heterogeneity of the populations studied, and the variety of detection techniques used. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies suggest that the infectious capacity of viral particles of HCV in the saliva is low.…”