HIGH PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO HEPATITIS-C VIRUS AMONG FAMILY MEMBERS OF PATIENTS WITH ANTI-HCV-POSITIVE CHRONIC LIVER-DISEASE

We have evaluated the intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by studying 1) the 107 household contacts of 43 patients with ch ronic HCV liver disease, 2) the household contacts of 30 anti-HCV-posi tive donors without liver disease, and 3) 3108 blood donors. We also s tudied the possible manner of the intrafamilial transmission. The prev alence of anti-HCV positivity in the families of index patients was si gnificantly higher than in donors (14.9% as against to 1.7%). All the family members of the anti-HCV-positive donors were anti-HCV negative. We conclude that the person-to-person transmission of HCV is possible and most probable in contacts of anti-HCV-positive patients with live r disease.