Molecular analysis of intraspousal transmission of hepatitis C virus

Chayama, Kazuaki; Kobayashi, Mariko; Tsubota, Akihito; Koida, Isao; Arase, Yasuji; Saitoh, Satoshi; Ikeda, Kenji; Kumada, Hiromitsu

doi:10.1016/0168-8278(95)80106-5

Cited by 84 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…In five, the phylogenetic analysis showed a high similarity of > 97% with a much lower homology for the other three, of around 91-92%. The authors conclude that these data strongly suggest the occurrence of HCV transmission in these couples 11 .…”

Section: Morsica Et Al (2001)mentioning

confidence: 72%

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Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

Cavalheiro

2007

Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo

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SUMMARYIt is generally agreed that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be efficiently transmitted parenterally, although data on viral transmission by sexual or non-sexual intrafamilial contact are conflicting. Since data collection began in 1989, the first study dealt with the risk of sexual transmission among multiple sex partners. Other investigations followed, emphasizing that risk increases in specific groups such as patients co-infected with HIV and HBV, sex workers, homosexuals, illicit drug users and patients attended at sexually transmittable disease clinics.The question arises as to what might be the risk for monogamous heterosexuals in the general population, in which one of the partners has HCV?The literature provides overall rates that vary from zero to 27%; however, most studies affirm that the chances of sexual transmission are low or almost null, with rates for this mode fluctuating from zero to 3%. Intrafamilial transmission is strongly considered but inconclusive, since when mentioning transmission between sex partners within the same household, specific situations also should be considered, such as the sharing of personal hygiene items, like razorblades, toothbrushes, nail clippers and manicure pliers, which are important risk factors in HCV transmission. In this review, we discuss the hypotheses of sexual and/or intrafamilial transmission.KEYWORDS: Hepatitis C; Transmission; Sexual; Intrafamilial.Patients infected by HCV frequently question whether their infection can be transmitted to their sexual partners, and whether HCV can be transmitted through sexual relations. Common sense suggests that HCV like HBV and HIV can be transmitted through sexual contact, but what is the degree of risk? Does it depend on the population studied? Can risk behavior alter contamination potential 27,34,74 ?Classically, parenteral exposition unites many risk factors that are relevant for HCV transmission, such as the use of illegal drugs, hemodialysis, blood transfusion and blood derivatives, tattoos, organ transplants, acupuncture, sharing of straws for drug inhalation, and accidents in health-care workers 12,26,49,58,71,89 .Convincing evidence for the sexual transmission of HCV requires a history of couples having lived together in sexual activity, the absence of other opportunities for infection, and genetic evidence on the virus, demonstrating that both partners are infected by a virus with very similar genomic sequences. The possession of quality information concerning these questions can aid in providing answers to these issues. However, few studies meet these criteria satisfactorily 22,69,85 . ALTER et al. (1989) 2 presented the first study in which the possibility of HCV transmission was discussed, and considered multiple sex partners as a risk factor. However, the contribution of sexually transmitted HCV remains controversial. In the United States, the Centers for Disease control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that between 20 to 25% of the transmission indexes are associated with sexual contact, although ...

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Section: Morsica Et Al (2001)mentioning

confidence: 72%

“…CHAYAMA et al (1995) 11 analyzed the E1/HCV region in eight couples that had the same genotype. In five, the phylogenetic analysis showed a high similarity of > 97% with a much lower homology for the other three, of around 91-92%.…”

Section: Morsica Et Al (2001)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

Cavalheiro

2007

Rev. Inst. Med. trop. S. Paulo

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“…A possible explanation is that sexual transmission occurs only in association with specific HCV genotypes or in the presence of specific mutations along the HCV genome. As with vertical transmission, samples from patients with suspected sexual transmission of HCV have undergone nucleotide sequence analysis to confirm the similarity of sequences obtained from sexual partners and thus the common origin of these HCV strains (21,51,61). Although the data are suggestive of a role of HCV heterogeneity in sexual transmission, this speculation needs to be confirmed.…”

Section: Genotypes and Hcv Genetic Heterogeneity As Epidemiologic Marmentioning

confidence: 96%

Clinical Significance of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes

Zein

2000

Clinical Microbiology Reviews

455

358

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“…The role of sexual transmission in the spread of HCV infection is still debated, but many studies have demonstrated it (12,18). Such transmission is rare; it probably results from common risk factors or sharing toilet instruments and follows a parenteral route rather than occurring via sexual intercourse, which plays a minor role except in sexually transmitted disease with genital lesions (1,3,5,10,12). Transmission of HCV infection to sexual partners is favored by a high concentration of circulating HCV or by concomitant HIV infection (3).…”

Section: Case Reportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Evidence of Male-to-Female Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus after Vaginal and Anal Intercourse

Halfon

Riflet²,

Renou

et al. 2001

J Clin Microbiol

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Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was transmitted from a chronic carrier to his female partner during unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse. Based on HVR1 and phylogenetic tree analysis, the couple had closely related isolates. These findings confirm sexual transmission of HCV without other risk factors. CASE REPORTA 32-year-old heterosexual woman, the index patient, presented in March 1997 with jaundice and severe fatigue; her alanine aminotransferase level was 732 IU/liter (normal level, Ͻ31). An enzyme immunosorbent assay for hepatitis C virus (HCV) (Ortho Diagnostics, Raritan, N.J.) was positive, and viremia was detected by PCR (Amplicor HCV; Roche Molecular Systems, Neuilly, France). Other causes of acute viral hepatitis were excluded, the autoantibody screening result was negative, and the patient tested negative for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.In November 1997, a liver biopsy showed chronic active hepatitis, and her alanine aminotransferase level was 130 IU/ liter. Over the 6 months before her illness, she had only one active physical relationship, which included oral sex and vaginal and anal intercourse with her partner. She was negative for HCV infection during this period. Her partner, a 35-year-old man, had had an episode of jaundice with an increase in transaminase activity in 1983 after a blood transfusion. In 1994, he was positive for HCV and his liver biopsy showed, chronic active hepatitis. The temporal relationship between HCV positivity and sexual intercourse led us to suspect a sexually transmitted infection.In this study, we investigated by HVR1 sequence analysis a case of transmission of an HCV isolate from a chronic carrier to his female partner during unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse.HCV is transmitted mainly through direct percutaneous exposure to infected blood. Among subjects infected by HCV, approximately 40% have no history of blood transfusion or intravenous drug abuse (18). Perinatal transmission is possible, although the risk is low. The role of sexual transmission in the spread of HCV infection is still debated, but many studies have demonstrated it (12, 18). Such transmission is rare; it probably results from common risk factors or sharing toilet instruments and follows a parenteral route rather than occurring via sexual intercourse, which plays a minor role except in sexually transmitted disease with genital lesions (1, 3, 5, 10, 12). Transmission of HCV infection to sexual partners is favored by a high concentration of circulating HCV or by concomitant HIV infection (3).HCV, like other RNA viruses, exhibits enormous genomic diversity. HCV isolates show four levels of genetic variability: types, subtypes, isolates, and quasispecies (QS). This heterogeneity is a consequence of high error rates in RNA replication. HCV circulates as a heterogeneous population of genetically different but closely related genomes, the QS (14). The HVR1 region of the genome is highly variable among and within patients and can be used to identify individual HCV isolates, which is of p...

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Molecular analysis of intraspousal transmission of hepatitis C virus

Cited by 84 publications

References 51 publications

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C

Clinical Significance of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes

Molecular Evidence of Male-to-Female Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus after Vaginal and Anal Intercourse

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