Risk factors for acute non-A, non-B hepatitis and their relationship to antibodies for hepatitis C virus: a case-control study

Am J Public Health. 1994 Oct;84(10):1640-3. doi: 10.2105/ajph.84.10.1640.

Abstract

A case-control study was carried out comparing 333 case subjects with non-A, non-B hepatitis and 1095 hospital control subjects. Of 333 case subjects, 197 (59%) were positive for hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV). Excluding blood transfusion and intravenous drug use, surgical intervention and dental therapy were strongly associated with anti-HCV-positive cases: in particular, obstetric and gynecology surgical intervention was found to be strongly associated with HCV positivity (odds ratio [OR] = 32; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 7, 147). Raw shellfish consumption was a risk factor for anti-HCV-negative cases (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.0, 5.1), thus suggesting an enterically transmitted virus in sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis in Italy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / immunology
  • Hepatitis Antibodies / isolation & purification*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis C / immunology
  • Hepatitis C / transmission
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Shellfish / adverse effects

Substances

  • Hepatitis Antibodies