HCV transmission in family members of subjects with HCV related chronic liver disease

To investigate the risk of sexual and intrafamilial transmission of HCV, 220 family members of 76 patients (index cases) with chronic type C viral liver disease were tested for serological markers of HCV Of the family members, 129 were offspring, 64 sexual partners, 15 parents and 12 siblings of the index cases. Anti-HCV was tested in all the household contacts; HCV-RNA was tested in antibody positive samples. The serologic markers of HCV were tested in a control group of 168 family members of 81 patients with chronic hepatitis unrelated to HCV. The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 8.2% compared to 0.6% in the control group (p < 0.001). Sexual partners were anti-HCV positive more frequently than the other contacts (20% vs 2.2%; p < 0.001), without any difference in males or females. No correlation was observed between the occurrence of HCV infection in contacts and age, severity of liver disease or risk factor for the acquisition of HCV in the index cases. Seven of the 18 (39%) anti-HCV positive family contacts had biochemical evidence of chronic liver disease, histologically confirmed in the 6 patients who underwent a liver biopsy. Liver chemistry was normal in all the HCV-negative contacts. Ten of the 18 anti-HCV positive contacts (55%) were HCV-RNA positive. Genotypes were the same (lb) in 4 of the 7 viremic couples of subjects: in 3 of the 6 couples of sexual partners and in the only mother/son couple. These data suggest the occurrence of intraspousal transmission of HCV, while intrafamiliar acquisition of HCV in non-sexual contacts seems to be rare.     

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus: the Turin study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease with the risk of evolution towards hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Numerous studies have documented the possibility of HCV transmission through blood transfusions during surgery or during intravenous drug use. The percentage of the risk of sexual transmission, in the general population not presenting the aforesaid risks is still very controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concomitant levels of seropositivity for anti-HCV, in the partners of patients with chronic HCV liver disease, but no history of previous transfusions or use of intravenous drugs. METHODS: The study included 196 anti-HCV positive spouses with a clinical diagnosis of active chronic hepatitis, aged between 20 and 75 years (mean age 53 years, SD+/-11 years). HCV infection was diagnosed by positivity of serum samples for anti HCV (EIA), confirmed by RIBA II and by circulating HCV-RNA detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All partners underwent anti-HCV assay (EIA), confirmed by RIBA II in the event of positivity. RESULTS: The mean period of cohabitation was 27 years (range 3-37, SD+/-9.8 years). The positivity of anti HCV in both subjects affected 11 couples (5.6%). Of these couples, the viral genotype was also available in 3 cases which proved to be identical in the index patient and the partner, whereas it was not possible to identify the genotype in other couples owing to scarce compliance. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained from this study confirm the possibility of the sexual transmission of HCV. However, in the context of subjects not belonging to "high risk" groups, this method of transmission does not appear to be important if compared with that of other viruses (HBV and HIV).     

Evaluation of risk factors for intrafamilial transmission of HCV infection in Egypt

The objectives of this study were to define the prevalence of intrafamilial transmission of HCV and evaluate the risk factors in this setting. A cross-sectional, family-based seroepidemiological study was performed in Cairo Liver Center and Oncology Diagnostic Unit, Ain Shams University. A total of 102 index patients (72 males and 30 females) with type C chronic liver disease and their 305 family contacts were studied. Only 265 family contacts were eligible for the study as they showed no previous history of exposure to risk factors. Overall, 15 family contacts (5.7%) were positive for anti-HCV, indicating a lower anti-HCV prevalence among family contacts than the general population in Egypt. Spouses were at higher risk of infection (16.7%) than family members (2.6%). Among the repeatedly positive samples for anti-HCV, only 3 samples were HCV-RNA positive (1.1%), all were spouses. Logistic regression analysis revealed that spouses reporting promiscuous sexual relations were at higher risk than those with normal sexual relations. Contacts sharing personal objects were also at higher risk to develop HCV infection. Index cases reporting previous blood transfusion (18.6%), i.v. antibilharzial therapy (33.3%), multiple sex partners (1.0%) or advanced liver diseases were more infective to their family contacts. The contacts of index cases had increasing risk of HCV infection with increase in age and duration of contact. The prevalence rate of intrafamilial spread of HCV infection is low compared to the rate among general population, emphasizing its limited role in transmitting HCV infection. Long duration of sexual contact and promiscuous sexual activities were major risk factors in this setting.     

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus among family members of patients with chronic hepatitis C

In this study, 108 family members of 40 chronically HCV-infected patients (19 post-transfusion and 21 sporadic), and 45 families of 16 anti-HCV-negative index cases (control group) were tested for anti-HCV antibodies. Anti-HCV antibodies were found in 16 (14.8%) families of anti-HCV positive index cases (15% males and 14.6% females; p = NS), with no difference between families of index cases with post-transfusion and those with sporadic HCV infection. Out of the 16 anti-HCV positive family members, 12 (75%) had clinical and/or serological evidence of chronic liver damage. None of the control group subjects were anti-HCV-positive (p < 0.01). The rate of anti-HCV positivity was 34.4% among spouses, 14.3% among siblings, 16.7% among cohabitants and 2.3% among children; anti-HCV antibodies were not detected among parents. We found a positive correlation between the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies among families and the severity of the HCV-related chronic liver damage of the index cases (p < 0.00005). In addition, to confirm that HCV infection and HCV-related chronic hepatitis may be transmitted intrafamiliarly, our findings also indicate that horizontal, especially sexual contact, is a more important route of HCV infection than vertical/perinatal transmission. Finally, the risk of acquiring HCV infection among families appears to be the highest when index cases are suffering from severe HCV-related chronic hepatitis.Corresponding author.     

Heterosexual and homosexual transmission of hepatitis C virus: relation with hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

A seroprevalence study was carried out on 1757 outpatients consecutively seen in a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in order to evaluate the sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV). A total of 1442 consenting patients were tested for hepatitis C, hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HCV, HBV, HIV-1) antibodies. The relations between anti-HCV, anti-HBc and anti-HIV-1 were studied. Of 73 anti-HCV positive reactions, 45 (61.6%) were confirmed by the recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA). The proportion of individuals with anti-HCV was higher in outpatients with a history of sexually transmitted disease than without. It was 2.8% in non drug user heterosexuals and 2.9% in non drug user homosexuals. Intravenous drug users (IDU) had higher anti-HCV prevalence when a history of STD was taken into account (42.3% in subjects with STD versus 36.7% in subjects without STD). Among non drug user heterosexuals an association was found between anti-HCV and anti-HBc. These data suggest that sexual transmission of HCV occurs, although it seems to be less efficient than other parenteral modes of transmission. When a more sensitive and specific marker of HCV infection become available, a more accurate estimate of the frequency and efficiency of the sexual transmission will be possible.     

Sexual behaviour and multiple infections in drug abusers

We have studied the prevalence and the serological profile of HBV, HCV, HDV and HIV infections in 137 Italian subjects addicted to the intravenous use of heroine and correlated the virological findings with sexual behaviour. HBV and HCV viremia were also measured in 114 patients. Anti-HCV was detected in 81% of the addicts, and one or more markers of HBV infection were detected in 62.8% (4.4% were carriers of HBsAg, 58.4% had evidence of past HBV infection and 13.1% of the latter also had HDV markers). Anti-HIV was positive in 23.4%; 26% of those positive for anti-HCV and 4.6% of those positive for HBV markers had no other viral marker: none had only anti-HIV. HBV-DNA was negative in the carriers of HBsAg, and HCV-RNA was not detected in any of the HBsAg carriers who also had circulating anti-HCV Overall, 34% of the anti-HCV positive addicts had HCV-RNA in their blood. The prevalence of the virus infection correlated with the duration of drug addiction but not with sexual behaviour, and sexual behaviour did not influence the acquisition of any virus. HCV infection was most frequent and probably the first infection to occur, but exposure to HBV was also common despite a low rate of HBsAg carriage. The prevalence of HDV infection was high (50%) in the HBsAg carriers, while the overall prevalence of HIV was lower (23%) than expected. Lack of HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA in carriers of HBV with anti-HCV in serum may indicate that HBV and HCV mutually inhibit their own replication.     

不同人群HCV感染状况及传播途径的研究

应用第二代抗ＨＣＶ ＥＬＩＳＡ试剂对我国中南地区部分人群 ＨＣＶ感染状况进行了血清学调查，同时对ＨＣＶ感染的传播途径进行了研究。结果表明：１．ＨＣＶ感染率在不同人群中检出不一，凡与血液接触频繁的人群感染率较高，如恶性肿瘤患者（９．９％），献血（浆）员（１２．２５％），血液病患者（２４．３％），血液透析者（３７．２％），药瘾者（６０．５％）。无明显血液接触史者则较低，如性错乱者（４．９％），医务人员（０．３３％）及健康孕妇（０．２４％）。２．经血传播是我国ＨＣＶ传播的主要途径。除频繁接触血液者ＨＣＶ感染率高以外，血液制品中丙球制剂抗 ＨＣＶ检出率为 １００％，ＨＣＶ ＲＮＡ阳性率为 ３１． ９％，其余制剂中虽然抗 ＨＣＶ检出率极低，但 ＨＣＶ ＲＮＡ阳性率仍达 ７． ９４％。提示应用被污染的血液制品也存在传播 ＨＣＶ的潜在危险。 ３．性接触和日常生活密切接触有可能传播ＨＣＶ，但机率较低。 ４． ＨＣＶ的家庭内聚集性感染的危险性远低于ＨＢＶ。 ５．职业性暴露感染 ＨＣＶ的危险性亦较低。 上述研究结果为阐明我国 ＨＣＶ感染流行规律及制订ＨＣＶ感染防治措施提供了客观依据。     

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Nanjing, Southern China

There is little information on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in China. The prevalence of HCV infection was determined in 998 subjects (398 with liver disease and 600 without) in the city of Nanjing in southern China. Subjects were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by a second generation assay. We also determined serological HCV genotypes and HCV RNA sequences. Among the 600 subjects without liver disease, 3 (0.5%) were seroreactive for anti-HCV. All were less than 12 years of age and had a history of transfusion. Of the 398 liver disease patients, 20 (5.0%) were seroreactive for anti-HCV. Of 16 patients in whom serological HCV genotype was determined, 10 (62.5%) were infected with HCV type 1, 5 (31.3%) with type 2 and 1 (6.3%) undetermined. HCV genomes sequenced from 2 patients belonged to genotype 2 and were closely related to strains in Beijing and Japan by molecular evolutionary analysis. These results suggest that HCV infection is rare and not a major cause of liver disease in southern China.     

肝病患者肝炎病毒感染状况的血清学调查

应用第二代抗ＨＣＶ试剂对我国不同地区肝病患者血清抗ＨＣＶ进行了检测，同时调查了ＨＢＶ和 ＨＡＶ感染状况。 ２０１６例肝病患者血清中抗 ＨＣＶ检出率为 １２． ２５％，ＨＢＶｍ 检出率为 ７４． ５５％，抗 ＨＡＶ－ＩｇＭ检出率为２９．３１％。各型肝病患者抗ＨＣＶ检出情况分别是：急性肝炎６２／７５２（８．２４％）；慢迁肝４８／５４１（８．８７％）；慢活肝９３／５２３（１７．７８％），慢性重症肝炎５／３２（１５．６３％）；肝硬化３４／１４３（２３．７８％）；肝癌５／２５（２０． ００％）。对不同年龄组肝病患者抗 ＨＣＶ检出率的比较表明，抗 ＨＣＶ检出率随患者年龄增加而增高。受血史及其他经血液暴露史与 ＨＣＶ感染密切相关，但仍有近半数肝病患者 ＨＣＶ感染途径不明。各型肝病患者中仅４７／２０１６（２．１３％）为单纯ＨＣＶ感染，其他ＨＣＶ感染者则为重叠感染。不同地区肝病患者血清抗ＨＣＶ检出率间差异较大（２．１５％～３０．９５％），北方地区较高，对其影响因素进行了探讨。     

High prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in a southern Italian rural region. Clinical aspects and evidence of inapparent parenteral exposure

AIM: Infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV) generally determines an asymptomatic acute hepatitis which becomes chronic in about 90% of cases. In order to contribute data on the prevalence and the transmission of HCV infection and its associated conditions, anti-HCV seropositivity records in a large sample of a population living in a rural area in Southern Italy were collected and examined. METHODS: Data were obtained from the registers of local general practitioners operating in 4 neighbouring countries which make up the region analysed. Information on established or potential risk factors for HCV transmission was obtained by means of a questionnaire. RESULTS: More than half of the entire population of the examined region (19,800 subjects, 60%) had a record for an anti-HCV blood testing. Out of these 19,800 subjects, 2,213 were found to be seropositive, with a resulting overall anti-HCV prevalence higher than that reported for the whole country (11.1% vs 3%). Genotype 1b was the most commonly detected (86%). Anti-HCV prevalence was significantly higher in the 50-59 and 60-69 year age groups than in other age groups. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that blood transfusion, use of glass syringes, surgical interventions, promiscuous use of tooth-brush, promiscuous use of sharp-edged instruments and lowest number of years of schooling were all independent predictors of anti-HCV positive. No association was found with family history of liver disease and alcohol consumption. A total 46.6% of the subjects had chronic hepatitis, 24.4% had cirrhosis, 1.8% had hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis and 27.2% were "asymptomatic" (with normal serum ALT levels and no histological features of chronic hepatitis despite HCV viremia). CONCLUSION: The most striking result of the study was that the high levels of HCV endemicity was not frequently associated with apparent evidence of parenteral exposure, suggesting that HCV spread in the community can even occur mostly through inapparent parenteral routes.     

Examination of hepatitis c virus antibody seropositive blood donors and their relatives

INTRODUCTION: 239 anti-HCV seropositive blood donors (132 male, 107 female, age: 19-61, mean: 40.59 y.) and 174 family members of them (74 male, 100 female, age: 4-65, mean: 23.67 y.) were studied for chronic hepatitis C virus infection and chronic liver disease. Detailed virus serology, ultrasonography, and 6 months follow-up and--in patients with HCV RNA--liver biopsy were made. RESULTS: HCV RNA was determined in 165 patients. 70% of them were HCV RNA positive. The ALT level was normal in 95 cases (57%), and lower, than twice of the normal was in 34 cases (20%) among them. Liver biopsy was made in 79 patients; chronic C hepatitis was proven in 75 cases (steatosis in 3 cases, alcoholic liver disease in 1 case was observed). Inflammatory activity was minimal (HAI < 3) in 17, mild (HAI: 3-6) in 41, moderate (HAI: 7-9) in 7, and severe (HAI > 9) in 10 cases. There was no correlation between the serum ALT levels and the severity of the histological activity of chronic C hepatitis. Authors stress the importance of the fact, that 2 patients had normal ALT and 5 patients ALT levels were lower, than the twice of the normal of the 17 patients with significant inflammatory activity (HAI < 6). Chronic C hepatitis need for antiviral therapy was occurred in 45% of patients who known themselves previously healthy. CONCLUSIONS: The necessity of the systematic examination of anti-HCV seropositive patients and of the importance of the liver biopsy in patients with HCV RNA positivity is stressed. 3 anti-HCV seropositive cases of 174 family members of the blood donors were observed, but none of them was HCV RNA positive. It seems to be, family members of the HCV infected patients have no increased risk for HCV infection.     

Intrafamilial Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background: The role of intrafamilial HCV transmission is still controversial. Methods: An overall sample of 2856 consecutive HCV-infected patients was studied. All index cases were interviewed to identify potential risk factors for transmission and underwent the following tests: HBsAg, anti-HBc, HIV, and, qualitative HCV-RNA and genotyping. Results: Coinfection with HBsAg was recorded in 4.7%, and with HIV in 2.6% of the HCV-infected index cases. Anti-HCV was detected in 2.1% of the members of their original families, and in 13.8% of 2662 sexual partners. The overall rate of infection for offspring was 2.3%, but the risk was significantly higher when the index case was female. The risk for sexual partners was significantly higher when the risk factor for the index case was intravenous drug (IVD) use rather than blood transfusion. Logistic regression analysis showed that female gender and drug addiction in sexual partners of index case were independent factors significantly associated with HCV transmission to sexual partners. Conclusions: Among all family members of index cases, sexual partners of IVD users were at greatest risk of HCV infection. Sexual transmission may not be the main route of transmission though, since IVD use in the sexual partners themselves was independently associated with HCV infection.     

Incidence of hepatitis B, C and D infection in chronic liver diseases]

The authors tested hepatitis B (HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, IgM anti-HBc, HBe, anti-HBe), C (anti-HCV) and D (anti-HD, IgM anti-HD) virus markers in the sera of 204 patients, who suffered from histologically confirmed chronic liver diseases (age: 18-72, average: 46.8 y) by Sorin Biomedica RIA and Abbott ELISA kits. On the basis of detailed virus serological tests, they obtained data indicating viral etiology in 62% of the cases. 33.3% of the patients were anti-HCV, 52.5% of the patients were HBV marker seropositive and 11.2% of the HBV seropositive cases were anti-HD seropositive. In 2% of the cases seropositivity of all the three viruses was proved. In 26% of the patients seropositivity of two viruses (HBV and HCV, or HBV and HDV) was proved. They observed severe, progressing liver diseases in patients with HBV, HCV and HDV marker seropositivity in a higher ratio than in seronegative patients. In the cases of combined virus marker seropositivity the incidence rate of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis was higher than in only HBV marker seropositive patients, but did not differ significantly from those only anti-HCV seropositive. In the cases of fought-off HBV infection the severity of the liver disease was milder than in the cases of replication and integration stage. Anti-HD seropositivity occurred in all stages of HBV infection, but active HDV infection, in most of the cases, was observed only in cases in the integration stage. Anti-HCV seropositivity was observed mainly in the fought-off HBV infection stage. Their results suggest that HCV infection, like HDV infection, may suppress HBV replication.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Sexual and non-sexual intrafamilial spread of hepatitis C virus: Intrafamilial transmission of HCV

The rate of intrafamilial transmission of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) was investigated in 90 family members of 41 index patients with type C chronic liver disease. Antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) was detected by the EIA method (Abbott-Axsym Sys) and Hepatitis C virus RNA, by the polymerase chain reaction (Nested PCR). We also investigated the presence of anti-HCV in 350 healthy persons (control group). The subjects in the study included 38 spouses, 45 children and others (1 relative and 6 parents). Four family members including 3/38 (7.8%) spouses and 1 sister were found to be positive for anti HCV antibodies but none had HCV RNA. Anti-HCV was not detected in the children of index patients. The prevalence of anti-HCV in the families of index patients was significantly higher than in the controls (4.3% versus 0.85%) (p = 0.0355). We concluded that the intrafamilial transmission of HCV is possible but occurs at a low rate.     

Hepatitis C virus infection in family setting

To evaluate risk factors associated with intrafamiliar transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), 113 hepatitis C virus index subjects with chronic HCV infection and their 267 family contacts were studied from January 1994 to October 1995. Overall, 16 family contacts (6%) were positive for anti-HCV by ELISA II generation. The prevalence was 11.3% in spouses and 2.9% in other relatives (odds ratios: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.4–12.6). Spouses who had been married to the index cases longer than 20 years had a 7.5–fold risk (95% CI: 1.0–336.3) of HCV seropositivity as compared to those married less than 20 years. In univariate analysis HCV seropositivity was associated with surgical intervention, use of glass syringes and hospitalization. The results of multivariate logistic analysis showed that any parenteral exposure (odds ratios: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.2–12.8) and sexual contact with an anti-HCV index case (odds ratios: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.0–9.4) were both independent predictors of HCV seropositivity among household contacts of HCV positive index cases. These findings indicate that sexual contact and any parenteral exposure both play an independent role in the spread of HCV infection in the family setting.     

Detection of the Hepatitis C virus in a population of adults

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in adults from Criciuma-SC and to search factors associated with the viral transmission. METHODS: During a health campaign, a questionnaire about factors associated to HCV transmission and tests to detect HCV were applied. A representative sample of the population was considered with 300 voluntaries. Fisher's Exact test, Mann-Whitney and Kappa tests were performed (p values < 0.05 were considered significant). RESULTS: HCV was detected in 7/ 457 (1.53 %) voluntaries. Subjects with positive HCV had a mean of 5.7 (+/- 4.1 SD) sexual partners in the last 10 years, which was significantly higher than those with negative anti-HCV (mean sexual partners 2 +/- 2.5 SD) (p= 0.01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HCV in a voluntary population of adults from Criciuma-SC was high and there was significant association between positive anti-HCV and higher number of sexual partners.     

Assessment of the occurrence and basic determinants of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among medical students in Silesian voivodeship

HCV infection may result in serious health consequences such as chronic hepatitis C and liver cancer. In Poland, the data on the prevalence of HCV infection is limited and available information suggests an increased risk among young males. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection between medical and non medical students, and to explore probable routes of HCV transmission. The project was conducted as a cross-sectional study. The study group included medical students (IV, V and VI year) and non medical students as a control group. The subjects were examined in the period from November 2002 to January 2003, (study group: n = 221; control group: n = 129). Serum samples were tested for antibody to HCV by ELISA method and anti-HCV positive samples were verified using Western Blot Line technique. Probable routes of infection were assessed by questionnaire. Preliminary results obtained in 29% of the target group suggested, that the prevalence of positive anti-HCV among students was 2.6% (95% PU: 1.2%-4.8%). It was higher among non medical than medical students (4.7% vs 1.4%). Anti-hepatitis C virus seropositivity was associated with a history of hepatitis. Verification of 9 positive anti-HCV cases proved only 1 HCV infection. Results presented in this paper are preliminary and will be verified after obtaining data for 600 medical students and for 600 subjects in the control group.     

贵阳地区性乱者血清抗HCV的调查

对208例性乱、107例献血员作血清丙型肝炎病毒抗体(抗HCV)、部分乙肝病毒标志(HBVM)检测。结果献血员抗HCV阳性率1.87%,性乱者8.65%,其中伴性病者为12.7%,不伴性病者4.1%。性乱者抗HCV阳性率在男、女各年龄组间无明显差异,HCV合并HBV感染率达72.2%。结果提示,性乱者中有着不可忽视的HCV感染率,感染率高低与伴发性病或HBV感染有关。     

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus and HIV-1 infection in female intravenous drug users

We examined the relationship between the presence of antibody to HCV and sexually transmitted diseases in 151 female, intravenous drug users aged 17–43 years. Anti-HCV was present in 49 of 66 HIV-1-negative women (74.2%), and 63 of 85 HIV-1-positive women (74.1%). Anti-HCV seropositivity was significantly related to sexually transmitted infections (Ureaplasma urealyticum infections excluded) in HIV-1-seronegative women, but not in HIV-1-positive women. Also, in HIV-1-negative subjects, Trichomonas vaginalis infections (and infections with M. hominis) were significantly related to anti-HCV seropositivity, and a positive relation between the number of sexual partners and the presence of anti-HCV was demonstrated. In HIV-1-positive subjects a shared use of needles and syringes was more likely, and an increased parenteral exposure to HCV may decrease the relative contribution by sexual transmission. However, in HIV-1-negative subjects, sexual transmission of HCV appears to be both a possible and important means of transmission.     

各型病毒性肝炎、肝癌抗—HCV检测及HCV感染与输血的关系

本文对各型病毒性肝炎、肝癌２００例进行血清抗－ＨＶＣ检测，阳性率为２０．５％，以重型肝炎和肝硬化检出率为高，分别为４２．８６５、４６．１５％，二者与其他型肝炎相比，有显著性差异（Ｐ＜０．０５）。输血后肝炎抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率为６７．５％，健康献血员抗－ＨＣＶ阳性率为２０．４７％，而输血后乙型肝炎仅占２．５％。说明输血是造成丙型肝炎传播的重要途径，因此，对献血员应进行严格筛选。观察表明，ＨＢＶ与ＨＣＶ双