[Investigations on hepatitis C virus infection among heterosexuals with multiple partners and patients with sexually transmitted diseases].

The seroprevalence of antibody against hepatitis C virus (HCV) was assessed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 110 heterosexually transmitted diseases (STDs), 98 heterosexuals with multiple partners, and 107 blood donors. The serum samples were also tested for hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc). Of the patients with STDs 12.7% (13/110) were anti-HCV antibody positive; of heterosexuals with multiple sexual partners, 4.1% (4/98) positive; of blood donors, 1.87% (2/107) positive. Among the 18 cases of HCV infection, 3 were positive for HBsAg and 10 were positive for anti-HBc antibody. There was no relationship among HCV infection, sex and age in observed objects. From the present data, we can conclude that HCV infection should not be ignored in heterosexuals with multiple partners and patients with STDs, and the risk factor for HCV infection appeared to be associated with a history of STDs and with HBV infection.