SEXUAL TRANSMISSION OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN MONOGAMOUS MARRIED COUPLES
Keywords:
Hepatitis C virus, sexual transmission, monogamous married couplesAbstract
Objectives: To evaluate sexual transmission of Hepatitis C virus in monogamous married couples in our local set-up.
Material and Methods: This long term prospective cross-sectional cohort study was conducted as outpatient at a
private clinic at Peshawar from January 2000 to December 2010. The risk of sexual transmission of Hepatitis C virus
(HCV) infection was evaluated among 334 monogamous married patients whose partners were not infected with
chronic HCV. These patients were serologically tested for HCV using a third generation Enzyme linked immunosorbent
assay (ELISA). Positive results were then confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In
patients positive for both HCV antibodies and HCV RNA, HCV genotyping was performed. A questionnaire
comprising detailed history, duration of marriage, sexual behavior and contraception techniques, was completed by
all couples. Statistical analysis of the results was performed with SPSS version 19.
Results: Amongst 334 chronic HCV infected patients, 190 were male and 144 female. All these patients had strict
monogamous status and their ages ranged from 30 to57 years with mean age of 41± 5 years. Their marital duration
lasted 8-24 years with mean marital duration 16 ± 9 years. HCV associated antibodies and HCV RNA were detected in
spouses of 14 (4.20%) of these 334 patients during study. HCV genotyping revealed discordance in 10 (2.99%)
couples and concordance (genotype 3) in only 4 couples, indicating risk of sexual transmission in 1.20% in strict
monogamous married couples.
Conclusion: The risk of sexual transmission of HCV within monogamous married couples is extremely low. HCV
positive spouses can be counseled about their normal marital life and sexual relationship.
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