AEGiS-05IAC: Seroepidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus type-I and viral hepatitis infection in New York City intravenous drug users (IVDUs).

5th International AIDS Conference

Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

Seroepidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus type-I and viral hepatitis infection in New York City intravenous drug users (IVDUs).

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:169 (abstract no. A.550)
Brown LS, Kreek MJ, Trepo C, Chu A, Ajuluchukwu D, Phillips R; Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation, Brooklyn, NY, USA

OBJECTIVE: To examine the behaviors associated with HIV-1 and viral hepatitis infection in IVDUs enrolled in drug treatment.

METHODS: As a part of a larger HIV seroprevalence study in which a standardized questionnaire was administered, 50 subjects were recruited from patients enrolled in drug treatment in NYC in 1987. Sera was collected and analyzed for HIV-1 antibodies (using ELISA and Western blot assays) and for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) antibodies and antigens.

RESULTS: The HIV-1 infection rate was 54% and 86% of the subjects had at least one marker for HBV infection. Serological evidence of anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBe, HBsAg, and HBeAg was found in 86%, 70%, 38%, 2%, and 0%, respectively of the sample. No subject had serological evidence of HDV infection and HIV-1 was associated with anti-HBc (p=.0073) serostatus.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with similar mechanisms of transmission between HIV-1 and HBV and suggest that a HBV vaccination program among IVDUs enrolled in drug treatment would have significant public health benefits.

Keywords: AEGIS, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, Hepatitis, Viral, Human, Hepatitis B Surface Antigens, Hepatitis B Virus, HIV Infections, Hepatitis B e Antigens, Hepatitis Delta Virus, Hepatitis B Antibodies, Substance-Related Disorders, HIV Seroprevalence, HIV-1, HIV Antibodies, Central Nervous System Viral Diseases, New York City, Human, ICA5

890604
A550