Sexual practices and transmission of HAV and HCV

Abstract

In the current issue of Eurosurveillance, two articles report outbreaks of hepatitis A (Copenhagen) and hepatitis C (Paris) in the male gay community, and it seems likely that specific sexual practices of this community may have been the mode of transmission. For decades, it has been accepted that the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through direct contact from person to person either through the oro-faecal route or by contaminated food that is unprepared or contaminated during preparation, whereas the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transmitted through a parenteral mode (through blood and its components). As far as hepatitis A is concerned, several outbreaks have already been reported in gay men, leading to recommendations for vaccination against hepatitis A by the health authorities in several countries.