TABLE 3.

Comparative detection of HCV RNA in specimens diluted in RNase-free water and in seminal plasma

HCV RNA load (IU/ml)	No. (%) of specimens detected positive for HCV RNA		Pa
	RNase-free water	Seminal plasma
20,000	12/12 (100)	24/24 (100)
2,000	12/12 (100)	19/24 (79.2)	NS
200	12/12 (100)	20/24 (83.3)	NS
20	8/12 (66.7)	5/24 (20.8)	0.01
Total	44/48 (91.7)	68/96 (70.8)

^aDetermined by chi-square test (NS, not significant).