Intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus, A possible contributing factors for transmission

ABSTRACT

One hundred and fifty relatives of thirty HCV related CLD [as index cases] and one hundred healthy blood donors as a control group were included. By using ELISA-II, HCV antibodies were detected in 71 of the relatives and in 25 of the controls with a highly significant difference between the two groups. The highest prevalence [60%] was observed among spouses of the index cases versus 44.2% and 44% with offspring and siblings, respectively. A significant increase in anti HCV positivity with increasing ages of relatives and with the duration of marriage was observed. In addition of being relatives of HCV related CLD, history of tattooing, blood transfusion and parenteral anti-bilharzial treatment were significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. Long period of contact with the index case, high post bilharzial infection and high mean age could explain the high prevalence among relatives in this study