Low incidence of hepatitis C virus transmission between spouses: A prospective study

Background: Interspousal transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been d ocumented; however, the annual risk of interspousal transmission remains un clear. Methods: A long-term prospective study to define the risk of interspousal t ransmission of HCV was conducted. One hundred and twelve index patients wit h chronic hepatitis C and their anti-HCV seronegative spouses were enrolled . Results: The mean follow-up period was 45.9 months. Antibodies to HCV (anti -HCV) and HCV-RNA were tested for in each seronegative spouse every year. S eroconversion of anti-HCV occurred in only one spouse, 2 years after enrolm ent, with a concomitant acute hepatitis. This subject and his spouse were i nfected with HCV genotype 1b. Nucleotide sequence comparison of the hyperva riable region of their HCV genomes showed a homology of 98%. Further phylog enetic analysis suggested that they had virtually the same isolate. Accordi ngly, the annual risk of interspousal transmission of HCV infection was 0.2 3% per year. Conclusions: These findings suggest a low incidence of interspousal transmi ssion of HCV; however, the risk may be cumulative and such couples should b e educated to avoid HCV infection from their spouses. (C) 2000 Blackwell Sc ience Asia Pty Ltd.