Transmission of hepatitis C virus to sexual partners of seropositive patients with bleeding disorders: a rare event.

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was studied in 30 partners to anti-HCV positive multitransfused patients with a bleeding disorder. Anti-HCV ELISA C-100 was used as a screening test. Positive results were confirmed with the first generation RIBA test. Indeterminate samples were tested also with the second generation RIBA to verify the positivity. The time of sexual exposure added up was at least 95 years. 29 partners were anti-HCV seronegative. Only 1 partner was anti-HCV indeterminate. Thus sexual transmission of HCV was a rare event.