Prevalence of HIV infection in 646 heroin addicts and outcome of HIV-related conditions in the 266 followed up.
In a series of 646 heroin addicts anti-HIV was detected in 428 (66.2%) and HBsAg in 53 (8.2%). Forty-eight (90.5%) of the latter had concomitant chronic HDV infection. Markers of past HBV infection were found in 481 (74.4%). The prevalence of anti-HIV was significantly higher in the 534 subjects with HBV markers than in the other 112 without markers (69.8% versus 49.1%, p less than 0.001). Of the 266 anti-HIV positive subjects followed for 3-48 months (median 12), nine progressed from no disease to persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL), 52 from PGL to AIDS-related complex (ARC) or AIDS (30 and 22 cases respectively), and six from ARC to AIDS. Baseline T4 + cell count was significantly lower and reduction during follow-up significantly greater in heroin addicts with disease progression than in those without.
Mandelli
C
C
Patologia Medica III, Ospedale Policlinico, Milano, Italy.
Conte
D
D
Barbera
R
R
Masullo
T
T
Pistoso
S
S
Aimo
G P
GP
Cesarini
L
L
Fraguelli
M
M
Lorini
G P
GP
Bianchi
P A
PA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens