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).