Spousal Transmission of the Hepatitis C Virus?

Editorials1 May 1994Spousal Transmission of the Hepatitis C Virus?Leonard B. Seeff, MD and Harvey J. Alter, MDLeonard B. Seeff, MDGeorgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.Search for more papers by this author and Harvey J. Alter, MDGeorgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-120-9-199405010-00014 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail A vast amount has been learned about hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the short time since its discovery through molecular cloning [1]. Much still remains to be defined, however, particularly in regard to clinical outcome, pathogenesis, and modes of transmission. Our discussion focuses on the last item.When first identified, non-A, non-B (C) hepatitis was believed to be acquired almost exclusively through percutaneous exposure. This early view derived naturally from the fact that the virus was first recognized in the context of blood transfusion studies. Subsequent investigations moved from the transfusion setting to that of community-acquired hepatitis, focusing on an ...References1. Choo QL, Kuo G, Weiner AJ, Overby LR, Bradley DW, Houghton M. Isolation of a cDNA clone derived from blood-borne non-A, non-B viral hepatitis genome. Science. 1989; 244:359-62. Google Scholar2. Alter MJ, Gerety RJ, Smallwood LA, Sampliner RE, Tabor E, Deinhardt F, et al. Sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis: frequency and epidemiology in an urban U.S. population. J Infect Dis. 1982; 145: 886-93. Google Scholar3. 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Google Scholar21. Bresters D, Mauser-Bunschoten EP, Reesink HW, Roosendaal G, Van der Poel CL, Chamelau RA, et al. Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus. Lancet. 1993; 342:210-1. Google Scholar22. Brackmann SA, Gerritzen A, Oldenburg J, Brackmann HH, Schneweis KE. Search for intrafamilial transmission of hepatitis C virus in hemophilia patients. Blood. 1991; 81:1077-82. Google Scholar23. Roggendorf MC. Update on sexual, perinatal, and household transmission of hepatitis C virus. In: Deinhardt F, Bradley DW, Houghton M, eds. Hepatitis C Virus: Scientific and Clinical Status. Secaucus, New Jersey: Advanced Therapeutics Communications; 1992:12-3. Google Scholar24. Vandelli C, Marin MG, Renzo F, Piaggi V, DePalma M, Vecchi C, et al. Is hepatitis C transmitted by sexual intercourse? (Abstract). Proceedings of the International Symposium in Viral Hepatitis and Liver Disease, Tokyo, Japan; 10-14 May 1993:218. Google Scholar25. Shev S, Widell A, Hermodsson S, Lindholm A, Norkrans G. 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Transmission of hepatitis C in an endemic area in Japan-community-acquired infection. Gastroenterology. 1994 (In press). Google Scholar30. Wang JT, Wang TH, Sheu JC, Lin JT, Chen DS. Hepatitis C virus RNA in saliva of patients with posttransfusion hepatitis and low efficiency of transmission among spouses. J Med Virol. 1992; 36:28-31. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Leonard B. Seeff, MD; Harvey J. Alter, MDAffiliations: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC 20422. National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.Corresponding Author: Leonard B. Seeff, MD, Gastroenterology Section (151W), Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 50 Irving Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20422. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoHepatitis C Virus Infection in Spouses of Patients with Type C Chronic Liver Disease Yoshihiro Akahane , Mineo Kojima , Yoshiki Sugai , Minoru Sakamoto , Yoshiki Miyazaki , Takeshi Tanaka , Fumio Tsuda , Shunji Mishiro , Hiroaki Okamoto , Yuzo Miyakawa , and Makoto Mayumi Metrics Cited byClarification of interspousal hepatitis C virus infection in acute hepatitis C patients by molecular evolutionary analyses: Consideration on sexual and non-sexual transmission between spousesLack of Evidence of Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C among Monogamous Couples: Results of a 10-Year Prospective Follow-Up StudyScreening for Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Review of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task ForceRoger Chou, MD, Elizabeth C. 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