Methods of Transmission of Hepatitis C in Tabriz Bababaghi Leprosy Center

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the route of transmission of hepatitis C virus in Bababaghi Leprosy Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Materials and Methods: The present study investigated HCV-positive leprosy patients admitted to Bababaghi Leprosy Hospital as the case group (n=51) and other HCV-negative leprosy patients as the control group (n=108). We collected data about the history of intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) injections, history of blood transfusion, history of surgical procedures, dental procedures, suspicious sex, use of drugs injected over the past 10 years, and the method of injections and dressing (sterile or non-sterile). Blood samples were obtained from all subjects. ELISA method was used to determine the hepatitis C virus infection. PCR method was then used to determine the definitive diagnosis of hepatitis C virus in HCV-positive patients, type of genotype and viral load. Results: Eighty-one of subjects were males and 78 were females. HCV contamination was observed in 51 cases (32%). All HCV-positive patients have Ib genotype. The history of suspicious sex had marginally significant correlation with contamination (OR=9.11; CI95%: 1.00-83.68). No other factor was found to have a significant impact on the hepatitis C contamination in study subjects.