title: Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus and HIV-1 infection in female intravenous drug users.
abstract: We examined the relationship between the presence of antibody to HCV and sexually transmitted diseases in 151 female, intravenous drug users aged 17-43 years. Anti-HCV was present in 49 of 66 HIV-1-negative women (74.2%), and 63 of 85 HIV-1-positive women (74.1%). Anti-HCV seropositivity was significantly related to sexually transmitted infections (Ureaplasma urealyticum infections excluded) in HIV-1-seronegative women, but not in HIV-1-positive women. Also, in HIV-1-negative subjects. Trichomonas vaginalis infections (and infections with M. hominis) were significantly related to anti-HCV seropositivity, and a positive relation between the number of sexual partners and the presence of anti-HCV was demonstrated. In HIV-1-positive subjects a shared use of needles and syringes was more likely, and an increased parenteral exposure to HCV may decrease the relative contribution by sexual transmission. However, in HIV-1-negative subjects, sexual transmission of HCV appears to be both a possible and important means of transmission.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Igiene e Medicina Preventiva, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salvaggio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pianetti
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Muggiasca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Re
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salvaggio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003075:Coitus; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D015497:HIV-1; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D016485:Needle Sharing; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies