Prevalência do vírus da Hepatite C entre contatos domésticos

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A hepatite C e uma doencainfecciosa viral, contagiosa, alem de ser um importanteproblema de saude publica. Outras formas detransmissao, que nao as convencionais, vem sendo estudadas.O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o perfildos pacientes positivos para o virus da hepatite C (HCV)atendidos em ambulatorio medico universitario e seuscontactantes, determinando a transmissao por contatodomestico. METODOS: Foram estudados pacientes cominfeccao para HCV e seus contactantes domesticos quepossuiam resultados laboratoriais do exame anti-HCV,com aplicacao de questionario e revisao dos prontuariose exames laboratoriais. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados33 pacientes portadores do HCV, com media de idade de49,1 anos e media de tempo de diagnostico de 53,2 meses.Desse total 17 (51,5%) eram homens e 22 (66,7%)eram casados. Em relacao aos contactantes, foram incluidos48 contatos, com media de idade de 47,4 anos. Otempo medio de contato com os pacientes foi de 21,9meses e a maioria dos contatos domiciliares eram conjuges(19 ? 39,5%). Entre os contactantes 43,8% negaramqualquer comportamento ou fator de risco para a hepatiteC. Dos contactantes positivos (8,3%) para hepatiteC, 100% dos casos foram de conjuges. CONCLUSAO: Atransmissao sexual e intrafamiliar do HCV nao e a maissignificativa via de transmissao do virus, porem a sua informacaoepidemiologica e essencial para a prevencaode doencas hepaticas cronicas e suas complicacoes. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis C is acontagious viral infectious disease, and a major publichealth problem. Several other non-conventional formsof transmission have been studied. The objective of thisstudy was to determine the profile of HCV-positive patientsattended at a university medical clinic and theircontacts, determining household transmission. METHODS:HCV-infected patients and their household contactswho had anti-HCV test results were surveyed throughquestionnaire administration in addition to the reviewof medical records and laboratory tests. RESULTS: A totalof 33 patients with hepatitis C virus was surveyed; meanage was 49.1 years and mean length time since diagnosiswas 53.2 months. Of the total, 17 (51.5%) weremen and 22 (66.7%) were married. Forty-eight werehousehold contacts, with a mean age of 47.4 years. Theaverage time of contact with patients was 21.9 monthsand the majority of household contacts were spouses(39.5%). Among the household contacts 43.8% deniedany risky behavior for hepatitis C. All positive cases forhepatitis C (8.3%) were through transmission betweenspouses. CONCLUSION: Interfamilial and sexual transmissionof hepatitis C virus is not the most significantroute of transmission, but the epidemiological informationof HCV is essential for strategic prevention of chronicliver disease and its complications.