ABSTRACT
Aim: Our aim was to survey the rate and risk factors for Hepatitis C virus interfamilial transmission among families withone index case
Background: The role of intrafamilial transmission in Hepatitis C virus epidemiology is still debated
Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 34 families [236 members] of HCV infected patientsfrom Fars province, spring to summer 2013. All subjects were first evaluated for the risk factors of exposure and then theirserum was checked for the presence of HCV antibody and the genome, using ELISA and PCR. The genotype of all PCRpositive cases was also determined by a commercial assay. Two independent sample t test and Chi-Square test were used tocompare groups together
Results: In 18 out of 34 families, HCV antibody was detected [52.9%] in new members. Among them, HCV transmissionin 11 families [32%] was also confirmed by PCR. Having a history of intravenous drug abuse [P=0.006] and incarceration[P=0.01] showed to be important risk factors for interfamilial transmission. Hence, blade/needle sharing [P=0.016] justfollowing molecular assay and sex [P=036] only in the serologic analysis were also determined as significant risk factors.Furthermore, based on serologic results, medium socioeconomic state was further associated with this manner oftransmission [P=0.019 and P=0.328]. Interestingly, among relatives, 13 cases were brothers while just 5 cases werecouples. The genotypes 3a and 1a were more prevalent among the population
Conclusion: In conclusion, our finding highlighted a noticeable role of interfamilial transmission for HCV spread andsupports the significant role of close relatives, especially brother relationship in this spread. Hence, the socioeconomic statewas associated with the transmission rate of virus in the family
ABSTRACT
Background: Drug abusers are one of the most at risk populations for hepatitis C virus [HCV] transmission worldwide. The aims of this study were to measure the seroprevalence of HCV and to compare certain related risk factors in participants who were referred to drug rehabilitation centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Materials and Methods: Blood samples and interviews containing questions about age, sex, level of education, house status, jobs, history of imprisonment and psychiatric problems, age at the first drug and first intravenous [IV] drug uses, safe and unsafe sexual activity, and time and duration of IV drug use in the past 30 days were obtained from 1116 participants in rehabilitation centers. The sera were tested for anti-HCV antibody using enzyme immunoassay. The data were analyzed using independent samples t test and one way ANOVA for quantitative variables and Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests for qualitative variables
Results: Among the 844 participants who agreed to blood sampling, the prevalence of HCV infection was 14.2%. The significant positive associations were detected between anti-HCV antibody positivity and higher levels of education [p =0.008], no history of imprisonment [p<0.001], having a job [p =0.006], having a partner [p <0.001], and higher age at the first drug use [p<0.001]
Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV infection among drug abuser was very high in comparison with the general population of Iran. Making policies to prevent transmission of HCV infection among this high risk subpopulation is highly recommended