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Absence of intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C in patients with inherited bleeding disorders
Author(s) -
DASANI H.,
JACKSON H.,
JONES J. A.,
HOWLETT J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
haemophilia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.213
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1365-2516
pISSN - 1351-8216
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2516.1997.00119.x
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , cirrhosis , hepatitis c virus , transmission (telecommunications) , hepatitis c , hepatitis , anxiety , liver disease , viral hepatitis , antibody , sexual transmission , virology , immunology , virus , psychiatry , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , microbicide , electrical engineering , engineering
Summary . Hepatitis ‘C’ virus (HCV) infection has caused significant anxiety in patients with inherited bleeding disorders. A significant number of patients with HCV have developed chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The exact risk of heterosexual and contact transmission is unclear at the moment. A test for antibody to hepatitis ‘C’ was offered, after counselling, to spouses and family members of 118 known hepatitis ‘C’ antibody positive patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Two hundred and fifteen family members were tested, 73 partners and 142 household contacts; all were found negative for hepatitis ‘C’. Our experience confirms the low risk of heterosexual and contact transmission of hepatitis ‘C’ virus.