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Hepatitis C virus antibodies in homosexual men and intravenous drug users in Denmark

Hepatitis C Virus-Antikörper bei homosexuellen Männern und intravenös Drogenabhängigen in Dänemark

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Summary

In order to evaluate the role of sexual transmission and parenteral transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in homosexual men and intravenous drug users (IVDU) serum samples from 147 homosexual men and 126 IVDU were tested for anti-HCV. Anti-HCV was found in two (1.4%) of the homosexual men and in 123 (98%) of IVDU. The presence of anti-HCV could not be correlated to the presence of HBV markers or HIV-antibodies. HCV is widespread among Danish IVDU. Risk of sexual transmission seems low even though sexual contact is a much more prevalent risk factor than needle sharing.

Zusammenfassung

Serumproben von 147 homosexuellen Männern und 126 intravenös Drogenabhängigen aus Dänemark wurden auf Antikörper gegen das Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) untersucht, um die Bedeutung der sexuellen und parenteralen Übertragung dieses Virus zu evaluieren. Unter den homosexuellen Männern waren zwei (1,4%) und unter den intravenös Drogenabhängigen 123 (98%) positiv. Zwischen anti-HCV und Markern einer HBV-Infektion oder Antikörpern gegen HIV fand sich keine Korrelation. Unter den dänischen Drogenabhängigen ist HCV sehr verbreitet. Das Risiko einer sexuellen Übertragung scheint gering zu sein, obwohl sexuelle Kontakte einen Risikofaktor mit höherer Prävalenz darstellen als gemeinsamer Gebrauch von Injektionsmaterial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Clinical Microbiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    H. Westh M.D.

  2. Dept. of Dermatovenereology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    A-M Worm M.D., B. L. Jensen M.D., S. Kroon M.D. & B. Kvinesdal M.D.

  3. Dept. of Virology, Statens Seruminstitut, Copenhagen, Denmark

    C. M. Nielsen M.D.

  4. Dept. of Clinical Immunology, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

    P. Wantzin M.D.

  5. Dept. of Clinical Microbiology 7806, Rigshospitalet, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark

    H. Westh M.D.

Authors
  1. H. Westh M.D.
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  2. A-M Worm M.D.
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  3. B. L. Jensen M.D.
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  4. S. Kroon M.D.
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  5. B. Kvinesdal M.D.
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  6. C. M. Nielsen M.D.
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  7. P. Wantzin M.D.
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  8. H. Westh M.D.
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Westh, H., Worm, AM., Jensen, B.L. et al. Hepatitis C virus antibodies in homosexual men and intravenous drug users in Denmark. Infection 21, 115–117 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01710745

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01710745

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