Continued transmission of hepatitis B and C viruses, but no transmission of human immunodeficiency virus among intravenous drug users participating in a syringe/needle exchange program

Summary, in English

The virological efficacy of a syringe/needle exchange program was evaluated in a cohort incidence study. Of 698 intravenous drug users (IVDUs) initially recruited, 15 (2.1%) were HIV-positive at baseline. Adequate follow-up was possible in 515 (74%) and showed no new cases of HIV infection during a median of 31 months. Most IVDUs had been previously exposed to HBV (anti-HBc-positive 70.1%) and HCV (anti-HCV-positive 90.7%). Of those 159 IVDUs negative at baseline for anti-HBc and/or anti-HCV, 56 (35%) seroconverted to one or both viruses during follow-up, corresponding to 11.7 seroconversions/100 y at risk for HBV and 26.3 seroconversions/100 y for HCV. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed hepatitis seroconversion to correlate with imprisonment during the study (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.04-4.74), absence of drug-free periods (OR 5.7; CI 1.44-22.3) and frequent syringe/needle exchanges (OR 1.31; CI 1.02-1.7). The absence of HIV spread was probably partly due to the low prevalence of HIV-infected IVDUs in the city. Despite free syringes and needles, both HBV and HCV continued to spread at high rates. Nevertheless, syringe/needle exchange programs, coupled with monitoring of serostatus provide good surveillance and are valuable for further assessment of remaining risks.

• Author: Ann-Sofie Månsson; Torkil Moestrup; Erik Nordenfelt; Anders Widell
• Department/s: Clinical Microbiology, Malmö
• Publishing year: 2000
• Language: English
• Pages: 253-258
• Publication/Series: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 3
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00365540050165875
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Informa Healthcare
• Topic: Infectious Medicine
• Status: Published
• Research group: Clinical Microbiology, Malmö
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1651-1980