Prevalence and risk factors for HBV, HCV and HDV infections among injecting drug users from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

Viral hepatitis constitutes a major health issue, with high prevalence among injecting drug users (IDUs). The present study assessed the prevalence and risk determinants for hepatitis B, C and D viruses (HBV, HCV and HDV) infections among 102 IDUs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Serological markers and HCV-RNA were detected by enzyme immunoassay and nested PCR, respectively. HCV genotyping was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP). HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs were found in 7.8, 55.8 and 24.7% of IDUs, respectively. In the final logistic regression, HBV infection was independently associated with male homosexual intercourse within the last 5 years (odds ratio (OR) 3.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-8.8). No subject presented anti-delta (anti-HD). Anti-HCV was detected in 69.6% of subjects, and was found to be independently associated with needle sharing in the last 6 months (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.3-9.2) and with longer duration of iv drug use (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.1-8.7). These data demonstrate that this population is at high risk for both HBV and HCV infection. Among IDUs from Rio de Janeiro, unprotected sexual intercourse seems to be more closely associated with HBV infection, whereas HCV is positively correlated with high risk injecting behavior. Comprehensive public health interventions targeting this population and their sexual partners must be encouraged.

Serological, epidemiological and molecular aspects of hepatitis C virus infection in a population from Londrina, PR, Brazil, 2001-2002

“…This finding agrees with previous observations made in HIV-seropositive patients from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where at least 70% of the subjects have been demonstrated to be engaged in high risk sexual activity and 70% of intravenous drug users were infected with HCV 22 . In HIV/HCV co-infected patients from São Paulo, Brazil, intravenous drug use was also the main risk factor detected 20 .…”

“…Prevalence is lower in populations highly selected by previous screening for risk factors associated with the infection, such as blood donors, and is higher among groups highly exposed to parenteral transmission of the virus, such as intravenous drug users or hemodialysis patients 2,13,21,29 . In Brazil, available data usually refer to large centers 8,12,22 . In Londrina, Paraná, data are also very scarce.…”

Serological evidence of hepatitis E virus infection in different animal species from the Southeast of Brazil

“…However, anti-HEV antibodies were detected in a significant proportion of healthy individuals in the country (Pang et al 1995, Foccacia et al 1995. Our data show seroprevalence rates varying from 1 to 11.8% among blood donors, pregnant women, intravenous drug users and citizens from urban and rural areas (Souto et al 1997, Oliveira et al 1999, Trinta et al 2001, Santos et al 2002. In order to investigate the existence of animal reservoirs for HEV in Brazil, different ani-mal species as well as pig handlers were tested for IgG anti-HEV.…”

Trends in HCV prevalence, risk factors and distribution of viral genotypes in injecting drug users: findings from two cross-sectional studies

“…Indeed, years of injecting drug use is the main predictor of viral infection in IDUs in Rio de Janeiro [11,Table 3. 21] and overseas [9,10,36].…”

“…In such a way, a high frequency of HCV infection (up to 98 . 0%) [10][11][12] has been reported in these subjects, with an apparent peak in 1980-1990 [12]. In the last decade, a declining prevalence of HCV infection has been observed in IDUs from different settings in Australia, USA and Europe [12][13][14][15][16][17].…”