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Sexual behaviour and multiple infections in drug abusers
R C Coppola1, G Masia, M L di Martino
1Department of Hygiene and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
European Journal of Epidemiology
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is most prevalent among Italian intravenous drug users, with infections correlating to addiction duration, not sexual behavior. Coinfections with Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis D virus (HDV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) were also examined.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Intravenous drug use is a significant risk factor for viral infections.
- Understanding the prevalence and interplay of HBV, HCV, HDV, and HIV is crucial in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, HDV, and HIV infections in Italian intravenous heroin addicts.
- To correlate viral findings with sexual behavior and duration of addiction.
- To investigate potential viral interference in coinfections.
Main Methods:
- Serological testing for HBV, HCV, HDV, and HIV markers in 137 intravenous drug users.
- Measurement of HBV and HCV viremia (HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA) in a subset of 114 patients.
- Correlation analysis of virological data with self-reported sexual behavior and duration of drug addiction.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of anti-HCV (81%) and HBV markers (62.8%).
- HCV infection was most frequent, likely occurring first. HDV prevalence was 50% in HBsAg carriers; HIV prevalence was 23.4%.
- Viral prevalence correlated with addiction duration but not sexual behavior. Lack of detectable HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA in coinfected individuals suggests mutual replication inhibition.
Conclusions:
- HCV is the most prevalent viral infection in this cohort, followed by HBV.
- Sexual behavior does not influence viral acquisition in intravenous drug users.
- Coinfection with HBV and HCV may lead to mutual suppression of viral replication.