Intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus: Infection of the father predicts the risk of perinatal transmission

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to evaluate in a cohort of mothers infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) the prevalence of HCV infection of their sexual partners, the influence of infection of the partners on perinatal transmission, and whether this influence is mediated by other well known risk factors for perinatal transmission. Forty-nine consecutive mothers infected with HCV who transmitted infection to their offspring and, as a control group, 557 consecutive mothers infected with HCV who did not transmit infection, together with their children and the fathers of the children who were also the sexual partners of the mothers were evaluated. History of intravenous drug use was significantly more frequent in women with partners infected with HCV than in women with partners not infected [115/180 (63.9%) vs. 87/401 (21.7%); relative risk (RR): 6.38, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.34-9.39, P < 10(-3)]. HCV infection was more frequent in the partners of mothers who transmitted perinatally HCV [23/49 (46.9%) vs. 174/557 (31.2%); RR: 1.95, 95%CI: 1.08-3.51, P = 0.03]. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that paternal HCV infection is not a risk factor per se for perinatal HCV transmission, but its role is dependent on maternal intravenous drug use [adjusted RR: 1.23 (95%CI: 0.44-3.39, P = 0.6)]. In conclusion, the present study shows that partners of mothers infected with HCV with a history of intravenous drug use were at a higher risk of HCV infection. HCV infection of the father seems to be associated with perinatal transmission but this relationship is dependent on maternal history of intravenous drug use.

Absence of intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus and low risk for sexual transmission in rural central Africa indicate a cohort effect

“…Recent studies in Europe and the USA suggest that intrafamilial transmission of HCV is the consequence of the sharing of parenteral practices rather than of close household contact or sexual transmission. [17][18][19] More extensive epidemiological and molecular studies in the general rural population are needed to better characterize the route of transmission and the dissemination of HCV in central Africa.…”

Intrafamilial viral transmission is not the main cause of the high prevalence of hepatic C virus infection in a village, Putian county, China

“…In recent years, there have been several studies from Europe and the USA that have suggested that intrafamilial transmission of HCV was a consequence of the sharing of parenteral practices rather than of close household contact or sexual transmission. [45][46][47] Host genetic factors in the susceptibility/resistance to HCV infection could play a role in causing a high prevalence of HCV in this village, as suggested by other studies. 28,48 More extensive epidemiological and molecular biology studies in this population are needed to clarify the routes of transmission and the dissemination of HCV in this village.…”

Perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus infection

“…Multivariate analyses performed on large samples of HCV-infected mothers together with their infants assessed the independent association of the maternal coinfection with HCV and HIV, the history of intravenous drug use, the HCV infection of the sexual partner, and the peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection with the perinatal transmission of HCV. These factors are associated often in the same mother [Resti et al, 2002a,b;Minola et al, 2006;Indolfi et al, 2008]. Results showed that the risks due to coinfection with HCV and HIV, and to HCV infection of the sexual partner, are related to the history of maternal intravenous drug use [Resti et al, 2002a;Indolfi et al, 2008], which in turn was shown to be related to the maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection by HCV .…”

“…These factors are associated often in the same mother [Resti et al, 2002a,b;Minola et al, 2006;Indolfi et al, 2008]. Results showed that the risks due to coinfection with HCV and HIV, and to HCV infection of the sexual partner, are related to the history of maternal intravenous drug use [Resti et al, 2002a;Indolfi et al, 2008], which in turn was shown to be related to the maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cell infection by HCV . These results suggest that significant risk factors for perinatal transmission of HCV are dependent on the presence of HCV in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell .…”