Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) occurs; however, to what extent is still unclear. In this presentation relevant data from the literature concerning the following key issues will be presented: presence of HCV in the seminal fluid and vaginal secretions; presence of HCV infection in sexually promiscuous individuals; presence of HCV infection among sexual partners to HCV-infected individuals; and molecular biology evidence of sexual transmission. An anti-HCV prevalence of 2-12% is seen in sexually promiscuous individuals, which is higher than that usually seen among blood donors. In case-control studies, HCV infection is associated with sexual promiscuity and sex with a partner who has a past history of hepatitis. In most studies, HCV infection is common among sexual partners of HCV-infected subjects. Genotyping and genome sequencing provide further evidence for intraspousal transmission of HCV. Despite these findings, stable sexual partners of hemophiliacs or recipients of I-ICV-contaminated immunoglobulin preparations rarely become infected. These discrepancies are not fully understood. Other sexual behaviours or confounding non-sexual transmission routes could play a part.