Familial Clustering of Hepatitis C in HCV Related Chronic Liver Diseases in EI-Minia

Abstract

Hepatitis-C virus (HCV) represents a major health problem in Egypt and all over the world. The present study was cmiducted to evaluate anti-HCV prevalence among relatives ofHCV related CLD and to explore the possible risk factors blammed in transmission of the virus.

One hundred and fifty relatives representing the family members of 30 patients with HCV related CLD ( live:t; cirrhosis and HCC on top ofl,iver cirrhosis). They were 94(60.7%) males and 65(39.3%) females and their ageranged from 15-65 •• years old. One hundred ofhealthy lood donors matched with age and sex were considered as a control group. Anti-HCV was positive in 71(47.3%} of the relatives compared to 25(25%)

among the control group.

A highly significant difference in anti-HCV positivity between relatives and control group (P= 0.0003) was seen but no statistical significant difference (P= 0.06) between males and females in anti-HCV postivity. Also, a significant .

increase (P= 0.01) in anti-HCV positivity with increasing ages of the relatives. A

significant relation (P= 0.03) between the duration of marriage and anti-HCV

positivity among spouses of index cases. Tattooing and history of blood

transfusion and parentral anti-bilharzia!treatment were significant risk factors for anti-HCV positivity. High prevalence of anti-HCV among relatives ofHCV­ related CLD in this study is explained by: Firstly, the higher mean ages of relatives and all were more than 15 years. Secondly, all of the index cases were at late stage liver disease (liver cirrhosis and/or HCC) which means a long period of acquiring the disease and a prolonged exposure of contacts with relatives. Thirdly, history of bilharziasis among 25% of the relatives and half of them received parentral anti-bilharzia!treatment.