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Hepatitis B and C in heterosexual patients with various sexually transmitted diseases

Hepatitis B und C bei heterosexuellen Patienten mit verschiedenen sexuell übertragenen Krankheiten

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Summary

The seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections were prospectively assessed in 356 heterosexuals with STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) and compared to a control group of 381 healthy first-time blood donors. Eighty-one of 356 STD patients were anti-HBC positive (22.8%) compared to 14/381 blood donors (3.8%; p<0.001). In addition, 18 of the 81 anti-HBC positive STD patients, but none of the controls, were positive for HBSAg (p=0.06). The prevalence for anti-HCV was also significantly higher in the STD group than in the controls (5.3% vs. 0.5%; p<0.001). Among the various STDs syphilis (anti-HBC: 67.5%; anti-HCV: 12.5%) andChlamydia trachomatis infections (anti-HBC: 20.2%, anti-HCV: 8.1%) had the highest prevalence for both infections. This study provides strong evidence of heterosexual transmission of hepatitis B and C virus infections. Thus, heterosexuals with STDs or multiple partners should be actively vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Zusammenfassung

Bei 356 heterosexuellen Patienten mit sexuell übertragbaren Infektionen (STD) wurde die Seroprävalenz für Hepatitis B-Virus- und Hepatitis C-Virus-Infektionen untersucht. Als Vergleich diente eine Kontrollgruppe von 381 gesunden Erstblut-spendern. 81 der 356 STD-Patienten waren anti-HBC-positiv (22,8%), dagegen nur 14 der 381 Blutspender (3,8%; p<0,001). Bei 18 der 81 anti-HBC-positiven Patienten konnte zusätzlich HBSAg nachgewiesen werden, dagegen bei keinem der Blutspender (p=0,06). Die Durchseuchung mit Hepatitis C war ebenfalls bei den Patienten mit STD signifikant höher als in der Kontrollgruppe (5,3% vs 0,5%, p<0,001). Unter den verschiedenen Infektionen waren die Syphilis (anti-HBC: 67,5%, anti-HCV: 12,5%) und eine Infektion mitChlamydia trachomatis (anti-HBC: 20,2%, anti-HCV: 8,1%) mit der höchsten Seroprävalenz für beide Hepatitisinfektionen assoziiert. Die Untersuchung belegt die Bedeutung der heterosexuellen Übertragung sowohl des hepatitis B-wie auch des Hepatitis C-Virus. Promiskuitive Patienten und Patienten mit STD gehören zur Risikogruppe und sollten daher aktiv gegen Hepatitis B geimpft werden.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitätskrankenhaus Freiburg, Hugstetter Straße 55, W-7800, Freiburg

    E. E. Petersen

  2. Medizinische Abt., SmithKline Beecham Pharma, Sapporobogen 6-8, W-8000, München 40

    R. Clemens &  H. L. Bock

  3. Universitätsfrauenklinik, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer, W-6800, Mannheim 1

    K. Friese

  4. Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Langenbeckstraße 1, W-6500, Mainz, Germany

    G. Hess

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  1. E. E. Petersen
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  3. H. L. Bock
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  4. K. Friese
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  5. G. Hess
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Petersen, E.E., Clemens, R., Bock, H.L. et al. Hepatitis B and C in heterosexual patients with various sexually transmitted diseases. Infection 20, 128–131 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01704598

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01704598

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