Loss of antibodies against hepatitis C virus in HIV-seropositive intravenous drug users.
A time-point survey of 262 ex-intravenous drug users (IVDUs) on methadone treatment showed serological evidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 64%, hepatitis B virus in 74% and HIV in 36%. Analysis of previously collected frozen stored sera of the same patients showed that 31 further IVDUs had had anti-HCV antibodies in the past and had lost them in a time-dependent fashion. Most HCV seroreversion was detected in HIV-positive people: 20 out of 85 in the HIV-positive group versus 11 out of 18 in the HIV-negative group.
Chamot
E
E
Department of Medicine, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland.
Hirschel
B
B
Wintsch
J
J
Robert
C F
CF
Gabriel
V
V
Déglon
J J
JJ
Yerly
S
S
Perrin
L
L
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies