Can Hepatitis C Be Transmitted by Sharing Toothbrushes?

Guidelines for the prevention of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission often include a warning against sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail care equipment, and other personal items that potentially may come into contact with blood. While studies definitively show that HCV can be transmitted by sharing needles and other equipment used for drug injection, the risk of sharing personal care articles is less clear.

German researchers performed a study to examine whether toothbrushes of HCV positive people are likely to be contaminated with the virus. The study included 30 participants with chronic hepatitis C. For each, 2 mL of saliva, collected before and after tooth brushing, plus toothbrush rinse water were tested for HCV RNA.

Results

Saliva collected before tooth brushing was positive for HCV RNA in 9 patients (30%).

Saliva collected after brushing the teeth had detectable HCV in 11 patients (36.7%).

12 toothbrush rinse water specimens (40%) tested positive for HCV RNA.

In 6 of these 12 patients, the "native" saliva (taken from the mouth) had been negative for HCV RNA.

Patients with detectable HCV RNA in their toothbrush rinse water showed no significant differences from those with negative rinse water with respect to clinical, biochemical, and virological parameters.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the authors wrote, "Our study demonstrates a contamination with HCV RNA of a considerable portion of toothbrushes used by hepatitis C patients, suggesting at least a theoretical risk of infection by sharing these objects."

They added that these results support "strengthening the recommendations to [ensure] a clear separation of these personal care objects between patients and their household members."

09/01/06

Reference
G Lock, M Dirscherl, F Obermeier, and others. Hepatitis C contamination of toothbrushes: myth or reality? Journal of Viral Hepatitis 13(9): 571-573. September 2006.