Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus infections in a New York City alcoholic population

Alcoholics have previously been reported to have an increased susceptibility to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted in a similar fashion, we studied 143 consecutive in- and outpatient alcoholics residing in New York City for HIV and HBV prevalence and associated risk factors. Of these alcoholics, 19 (13%) individuals were HIV positive, 57 (40%) were hepatitis B seropositive. Intravenous drug use and sexual contact with an IV drug user were the most important risk behaviors for HIV acquisition, with large numbers of partners and anal heterosexual intercourse being lesser factors. The only significant risk behavior determined for hepatitis B infection was IV drug use. These high-risk behaviors did not appear to be related to episodes of alcoholic intoxication. However, it is conceivable that alcoholism may, in other ways, affect susceptibility to HIV infection.