ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: A clinical epidemiological study at a health centre of carriers of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. The prevalence of HCV antibodies in immediate family members. DESIGN: Crossover and descriptive. SETTING: Chopera I Primary Care team. PATIENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS: 37 carriers of HCV antibodies in the Centre's records. 52 family members of 21 carriers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A form containing the clinical and epidemiological data of each carrier was filled out. The diagnosis of HCV infection was made at the Health Centre in 72.22% of cases. 80% evolved towards a chronic hepatitis. 56.75% had a history of parenteral transmission. 37.75% had no history of risk factors. The epidemiological data of the family members was recorded and transaminasaemia and the HCV antibodies were determined. Four cases (8.33%) with altered transaminase and three cases (6.82%) of positive antibodies were found. CONCLUSIONS: Existence of a high percentage of Hepatitis C of no known origin and a greater prevalence of carriers among family contacts than in the population as a whole. Essential role of Primary Care in the detection and follow-up of HCV carriers. A need for definitive studies on sexual transmission and the possible existence of other transmission routes. The setting-up of preventive measures against these routes.
Subject(s)
Carrier State/epidemiology , Family Health , Hepatitis C/epidemiology , Primary Health Care , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Carrier State/immunology , Carrier State/transmission , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Hepacivirus/immunology , Hepatitis Antibodies/blood , Hepatitis C/immunology , Hepatitis C/transmission , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Primary Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Spain/epidemiology , Suburban Population/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes one of the most widespread infections worldwide. We report a family outbreak where a male with Down's syndrome attending an open institution for mentally retarded individuals probably was the source of the infection. We consider the prevention as the only means to attack the infection with intervention on the transmission mechanisms and immuniprophylaxis. We emphasize eh need of a perfect communication between the several institutions involved in epidemiological surveillance. This might have prevented the present outbreak. Finally, we insist on the importance that the primary care physician could have in the prescription and indication of immunoprophylaxis. To this end, the disappearance of the administrative barriers established by the Secretaría General de Asistencia Sanitaria from the Health Ministry would be needed.
