Intra familial transmission of hepatitis C virus infection in Iran

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The role of intra familial HCV transmission is still controversial. The aim of the present study is to determine intra familial transmission [sexual and non sexual contacts] of HCV in a group of Iranian population. In this historical cohort study, 270 first degree relatives of hepatitis C patients were enrolled as the exposed group and compared to 270 first degree relatives of normal subjects [with negative HCV] as the unexposed group. Antibodies to HCV were detected by commercially available fourth-generation enzyme immunoassay. Positive serum specimens were retested using a second generation recombinant immunoblot assay. Fisher's exact test was used to detect association between the exposure and out come of the study. The mean age of exposed groups was 27.1 +/- 19.8 years and 38.1% were male. The mean age of unexposed group was 29.4 +/- 16.7 years and 51.9% were male. Regarding gender, age, familial relation and condom use, there were not statistically significant differences between exposed and unexposed subjects. Only 2 HCV-infected subjects were detected in the unexposed group, both of whom were intravenous drug users. The frequency of positive HCV antibody among household contacts of two groups was not significantly different [NS]. Our results revealed that house hold contact transmission of HCV is not a significant transmission route and sexual transmission does not seem to play a role in the intra familial spread of HCV infection

Screening for hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic carriers of hepatitis Band C in Markazi province, Iran

Chronic HBV and HCV infections are known as important underlying causes of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. Their prevalence in Iran are estimated to be 1.7-5% and 0.5-1%, respectively. We investigated the prevalence of HCC in chronic carriers of HBV and HCV via alpha-feto protein [AFP] measurement and ultrasonography as well as pathological assessments. In this cross-sectional study, HBV and HCV positive cases were determined from documents in blood banks since 1985. From 1064 aviable cases, 514 were randomly selected and followed up for two consecutive years. For all patients, AFP testing and sonography were done after reconfirmation of chronicity. Cases with nodules or mass in sonography and AFP levels above 20 ng/ml were considered suspicious for HCC and after rechecking were referred for liver biopsy. Finally, HCC was confirmed pathologically. The mean subjects' age was 35.19 +/- 13.16 years and hepatitis duration was 6.12 +/- 5.66 years. Twenty-nine [5.7%] had elevated AFP and 18 [3.5%] had nodules in sonogram. In 16 [3.13%] cases, HCC was detected pathologically. Risk of HCC was correlated with age >40 years, cirrhosis and hepatitis duration [P<0.001]. There was no correlation between the risk of HCC and the type of hepatitis, HBeAg positivity, sex and ALT levels. Early screening for HCC using AFP and sonography can be useful for HCC detection in HCV and HBV chronic carriers