For consumers:

(Key words: HCV, transmission)

• Transfusion of infected blood or blood products or transplantation of infected organs, and sharing of contaminated needles are the most common causes of HCV infection.

For professionals:

TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS-------- ROUTE, DOSE, AND TITER

• 1. HCV -- low titer of virus in the blood of patients.

• 2. Most efficient transmission of HCV --------

  the transfusion of infected blood or blood products or transplantation of infected organs, and sharing of contaminated needles.

• 3. < 50% of acute C hepatitis --- with history of exposure

• 4. Small number of studies --- demonstrate perinatal, sexual, household, and occupational transmission.

• 5. Mother to infant transmission:
  • 6% (3/53) of anti-HCV positive mother

  • 11% of HCV-RNA positive mother

  • 36% of HCV-RNA positive mother with titers of at least 10/ml, 0% with titer below 10/ml.

  • Transmission directly related to the level of viremia in the mother.

  • Nucleotide sequencing of the HCV genomes from the infected infants and their mothers --- nearly identical, (97 to 99 %).

• 6. Serological studies of sexual partners (0~30%), and houshold contacts of children (0~20%)

• 7. Type and size of inoculum and the route of transmission, as well as the titer of virus related to the risk of transmission.

  (From: Alter, M.J., N.Eng.J.M. 330:764, 1994)
  

  

  [Old Doc's Home] [Home - liver disease] [Web sites for medical students] [Currriculum Vitae ]

  mailto:
  (Dr. Wu's Liver D) Since Feb. 04, 1998
  (Olddoc)Since Jan. 24, 2003
  (TMN) Since Jan. 24, 2003 (TMN) Since June 09, 2002

  (By Jau-Shin Wu, M.D.;Posted Sep. 1996; Revised May 04, 2003)