Vaginal Shedding of Hepatitis C Virus

A group of 14 women infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) was evaluated for vaginal shedding of the virus. The HCV-RNA detection was performed in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in supernatant and pellet of vaginal washings. HCV-RNA positive results were obtained in all plasma samples, in 57% of the PBMC samples, in 36% pellets obtained following centrifugation of vaginal washings and in 36% of the supernatants. In 21% of the women a positive result was found, at the same time, in every analysed product. The HCV genotypes identified in the plasma samples (1a: 38%; 1b: 36%; 3a: 13% and 1b+3a: 14%) matched with those in PBMC and vaginal washings in every sample, with the exception of cases where mixed infection (1b+3a) was detected. In these, genotype 1b was only detected in plasma. HCV viral load was not associated with the presence of HCV–RNA in PBMC or in vaginal washings (either cells or supernatant).