LACK OF TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS-C IN HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS OF CHILDRENWITH HOMOZYGOUS BETA-THALASSEMIA

Forty-eight household contacts of 25 children with homozygous beta-tha lassaemia and chronic hepatitis C (index cases) were evaluated for ant ibodies against hepatitis C virus (HCV) and increased transaminase val ues in the blood. The mean age +/- SD of the household contacts was 36 .4 +/- 17.0 years (range 5-67) and 20 of them were males. All thalassa emic patients (age 14.3 +/- 3.0 years, range 8-19) were positive for a nti-HCV antibodies by repeated determinations. HCV-RNA was detected in the blood of 22 of 23 patients tested by polymerase chain reaction. L iver biopsies were performed in 18 patients and showed chronic active hepatitis in 14 and chronic persistent hepatitis in 4. The mean durati on of contact between the index cases and the household contacts while the index cases were anti-HCV positive was 45.3 +/- 10.2 months (rang e 17-57). None of the household contacts was found to be positive for anti-HCV antibodies nor did they have elevated transaminases in the tw o examinations performed within an interval of about 2 years. Among th e HCV-negative household contacts are included 14 who mentioned needle stick injuries with needles used by the index cases.