Abstract
For up to 20 to 40% of patients chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), the mode of transmission is still unknown. We demonstrate that tear fluid contains HCV RNA-carrying material with the properties of infectious virus and conclude that smear infection with tear fluid may play a role in HCV transmission.
MeSH terms
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Carrier State / transmission
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Carrier State / virology*
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Hepacivirus / genetics
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Hepacivirus / isolation & purification*
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Hepatitis C / transmission
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Hepatitis C / virology*
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Hepatitis, Chronic / virology
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Humans
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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RNA, Viral / genetics
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RNA, Viral / isolation & purification
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Tears / virology*