Interesting new HCV articles on intrafamilial, and other modes of transmission

Here are some newly posted, and somewhat thought provoking articles regarding the potential for intra-familial transmission, and on the possiblities of various secretions harboring and transmitting HCV.  Please copy and paste links, and review articles in full.  I will copy a few key comments for this post, to highlight each article.  Comments, and thoughts are welcomed.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2008/091908_c.html

from this study, just to peak your interest:

"These findings indicate, the study authors wrote, that correlations of HCV infections among family members "can be explained in part by familial sources of virus transmission."

Furthermore, more detailed analysis of correlations between first-degree relatives suggested that genetic factors may make some individuals or family groups more susceptible to HCV infection. "

and.... another study:         http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2008/091908_a.html

from this study:

"[T]hese findings lend important virological and clinical support to the intranasal HCV transmission hypothesis," they concluded. "In addition, detection of HCV in nasal secretions advances the debate regarding potential iatrogenic and nosocomial transmission of HCV in the context of ear, nose, and throat and related clinical practices. More research is needed to confirm intranasal transmission as a mode of viral infection and to determine its impact on the wider epidemic of HCV infection."

St. Luke's-Roosevelt Institute for Health Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY; National Development and Research Institutes, New York, NY;

Some interesting food for thought I believe.  Everything is not always as black and white as it seems.  

DoubleDose

[DoubleDose]

By the way, there was also a third article relating to transmission of HCV through 'blood-contaminated' surfaces.  The persons contracting the virus were working within a hemodialysis unit, and HCV was found on testing, on a number of surfaces.  These surface contaminations were shown to have caused active HCV infections.  Interesting and reason to be VERY careful with blood, and disinfection.

DD