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World J Hepatol. May 27, 2013; 5(5): 234-236
Published online May 27, 2013. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v5.i5.234
Published online May 27, 2013. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v5.i5.234
Hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus transmission routes: Differences and similarities
Francesca Cainelli, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, Private Bag 00713, Gaborone, Botswana
Author contributions: Cainelli F wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Francesca Cainelli, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Botswana, 4775 Notwane Rd, Private Bag 00713, Gaborone, Botswana. francescacainelli@yahoo.it
Telephone: +267-35-54563 Fax: +267-31-05979
Received: March 24, 2013
Revised: April 21, 2013
Accepted: May 7, 2013
Published online: May 27, 2013
Processing time: 63 Days and 12.9 Hours
Revised: April 21, 2013
Accepted: May 7, 2013
Published online: May 27, 2013
Processing time: 63 Days and 12.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: The results of a number of studies have shown that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is mainly transmitted through medical procedures with contaminated supplies, whereas human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission is predominantly sexual. Heterosexual transmission of HCV is exceptional and can occur, from males to females, in extremely rare occasions in case of vaginal mucosal damage or less rarely through anal intercourse. Transmission by needle-stick injury occurs in 0.9%-2.2% of exposures from HCV-infected subjects and in 0.1%-0.3% of exposures from HIV-infected individuals; therefore HCV is more transmissible through percutaneous exposure.