Alternative transmission routes for HCV: RNA HCV Detection in biological body fluids.

RÉ V; FARIAS A; MENGARELLI S; KREMER, L; SARMIENTO C; PISANO B; ELBARCHA O; CONTIGIANI M

Buzios, Brasil

Congreso; XIII Encontro Nacional de Virologia; 2007

Sociedad brasilera de Virologia

 The general aim of this study was to evaluate alternative transmission routes for hepatitis C virus in subjects with chronic HCV infection, and provide preliminary results. RNA detection and genotyping was carried out in plasma (n=13), saliva (n=7), semen (n=3), peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (n=9) and cervical smear (n=1) of 13 anti-HCV(+) individuals from central Argentina. Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study. Active infection [RNA (+) in plasma] was demonstrated in all individuals. HCV RNA was found in saliva (3/7), semen (2/3), PBMCs (9/10) and cervical smear (1/1). Genotype distribution was: 2 (39%), 1 (31%) and 3 (7%). The finding of HCV RNA in different fluids was independent of the genotype. The same genotype was detected between fluids and plasma of each patient. The possibility of non-parenteral HCV transmission is supported by the demonstration that the actual virus is present in several body fluids and PBMCs. Even though the occurrence of viral salivary shedding does not necessarily mean that HCV transmission occurs by saliva, different studies have demonstrated that viral salivary shedding could be associated to viremia levels, serum viral genotype and the presence of salivary occult blood. These results may have important implications for dental practice.  The finding of HCV RNA in semen and cervical smear samples supports the need of reinforce protective recommendations to sexual partners of HCV-infected subjects and to implement the analysis of HCV in assisted reproductive centers.