Antibody prevalence of parenterally transmitted viruses (HIV-1, HTLV-I, HBV, HCV) in Austrian intravenous drug users.
From 1985 to 1990 the sera of 372 newly imprisoned intravenous drug users (IDU) were tested for HIV-1 antibodies. The seroprevalence was 18%, males 16% and females 31%. HIV-1 seroprevalence in Austrian IDU has not increased since 1986. All sera tested for HTLV-I-antibodies were negative. The majority of the HIV-1 seropositive drug users had been infected before 1985. The reported frequency of needle sharing has decreased since 1986. Of 151 IDU tested for HCV antibodies 75% were positive for anti-HCV, 68% were positive for hepatitis B markers, 59% were positive for both HBV and HCV markers, and 13% were positive for HIV-1 antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
in Austrian IDU HCV seems to be the most frequent parenterally transmitted virus; HIV-1 seroprevalence has not increased since 1986; HLTV-I infection has not yet begun.
Pont
J
J
Bundesministerium für Justiz, Wien, Austria.
Neuwald
C
C
Salzner
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000276:immunology*
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies