Molecular detection of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and torque teno viruses in drug users in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Injecting drug users are at increased risk of infection with hepatitis viruses and blood-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to examine HBV, HCV, HDV, and TTV infections in Saudi drug users (N = 344). Extraction of nucleic acid from serum, reverse-transcription, amplification of viral nucleic acids, and HBV and HCV genotyping were done using established techniques. Of the analyzed samples, 41 (12%) contained detectable HBV DNA, 131 (38%) contained detectable HCV RNA, and 174 (51%) had detectable TTV DNA. The predominant HBV genotype was found to be genotype D and the predominant HCV genotype was found to be genotype 1b. All the samples were negative for HDV. Twelve samples (3.5%) were found to contain mixed HBV and HCV genomes, 24 samples (7%) were found to contain mixed HBV and TTV genomes, 82 samples (24%) were found to contain mixed HCV and TTV genomes, and 9 samples (2.6%) were found to contain mixed HBV, HCV, and TTV genomes. Identification of various infections in drug users will help the control of these infections in this group as well as in the community.

Is there a need to include HIV, HBV and HCV viruses in the Saudi premarital screening program on the basis of their prevalence and transmission risk factors?

“…Estimates for IVDU rates are often inaccurate, but generally, addiction rates are increasing in Saudi 26. IVDUs had no statistical association with the risk of acquiring the viruses in our study.…”

Occult hepatitis B virus infection among injecting drug users in the Central-West Region of Brazil

“…Interestingly, Panessa et al (2009) previously identified a significant association between genotype D and injecting drug use. Moreover, the predominance of genotype D observed in IDUs in this study was consistent with findings reported elsewhere (Lindh et al 2000, Swenson et al 2001, Garfein et al 2004, Alam et al 2007, Alzahrani et al 2009). However, additional studies will be needed to confirm these associations.…”

Substance use disorders in Saudi Arabia: review article

“…The prevalence of hepatitis B decreased from 17.8% in 2001 (Abalkhail, 2001) to 12% in 2009 (Alzahrani et al, 2009). This decrease could be due to an increased awareness of the patients, availability of disposable plastic syringes, different technology and methods of assessment or simply due to a decreased frequency of heroin use in the Western region (from 70% (Iqbal, 2000) to 25% (Bassiony, 2008) and in the Eastern region (from 51% to 23%; AbuMadani et al, 2008) over the past decade.…”