Viral infections in short-term injection drug users: the prevalence of the hepatitis C, hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency, and human T-lymphotropic viruses.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of four blood-borne viral infections among illicit drug injectors with up to 6 years of injecting experience. METHODS: We analyzed data from 716 volunteers recruited in 1988 and 1989. Test results for hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV), and human T-lymphotropic virus types I and II (HTLV) were examined across six sequential cohorts defined by duration of drug injection. RESULTS: Overall, seroprevalence of HCV, HBV, HIV, and HTLV was 76.9%, 65.7%, 20.5% and 1.8%, respectively, and 64.7%, 49.8%, 13.9%, and 0.5%, respectively, among those who had injected for 1 year or less. Among the newest initiates, HCV and HBV were associated with injecting variables, and HIV was associated with sexual variables. CONCLUSIONS: The high rates of HCV, HBV, and HIV infections among short-term injectors emphasizes the need to target both parenteral and sexual risk reduction interventions early. Renewed efforts at primary prevention of substance abuse are indicated.

HIV Prevalence and Risk Behaviors Among People Who Inject drugs in Two Serial Cross-Sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Surveys, Zanzibar 2007 and 2012

“…This may be attributed to increased HIV testing and counseling coverage while the number of those infected with HIV remained relatively the same. Longer time since first injection, which likely reflects a longer cumulative exposure to injection-related risk [18], was highly associated with HIV prevalence. We also noted that personal income increased substantially between 2007 and 2012.…”

Trends in Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevalence, Risk Behaviors, and Preventive Measures among Seattle Injection Drug Users Aged 18–30 Years, 1994–2004

“…5 In 2004, among acute cases reported nationally to CDC with risk factor data, 16% reported recent use of injection drugs, 6 which is approximately the same percentage as in the four sentinel counties. 7 In populations of IDUs, prevalence of HBV infection has ranged from 22 to 68% [8][9][10][11] and incidence rates of 10 and 31% per year have been reported. 8,10 Hepatitis C virus causes an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 deaths per year.…”

“…4 In 2003, 40% of persons with acute HCV in the four sentinel counties reported recent injection drug use, 7 as did 42% of acute HCV cases reported nationally to CDC in 2004 with risk factor data available. 6 Data from the late 1980s and early 1990s found HCV prevalence among persons who had been injecting 1 year or less of 65% 9 and 54%, 12 as well as 76% among those injecting less than 2 years. 13 More recent reports have found HCV prevalence from 27 to 39% among IDUs less than 30 years of age.…”

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

“…Because of the young age at first drug injection (which leads to the assumption that a previous HCV infection is unlikely) and since HCV infection occurs in the early years of their IDU career [8,9], the year of first injection was used as a proxy of year of infection. HCV 1a (10 %), HCV 1b (50 %) and HCV 3a (40 %) were already seen in IDUs who started injecting drugs during the early 1960s.…”