Prevalence and epidemiologic correlates of human T cell lymphotropic virus infection among intravenous drug users.
Intravenous drug users (IVDUs) in Seattle (n = 213) were studied to identify the prevalence and predominant types of and risk factors for human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection. Detailed questionnaires, serologic screening, and polymerase chain reaction analysis (for a subset) were used. Evidence of HTLV infection was found in 16.5%, of which 89% were HTLV-II. HTLV infection was significantly associated with nonwhite race, older age, more years of intravenous drug use, prior use of heroin, history of gonorrhea, history of any sexually transmitted disease, hepatitis B virus infection, and antibody to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). By stepwise logistic regression analysis, associations persisted with race, age, hepatitis B markers, and HSV-2. Thus, the strong association of HTLV with hepatitis B, a marker for injection behavior, and the independent association with HSV-2 infection, a sexually transmitted pathogen, suggest similarities in the epidemiology of HTLV and human immunodeficiency virus infections in IVDUs.
Schwebke
J
J
University of Washington Center for AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Seattle.
Calsyn
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D
Shriver
K
K
Saxon
A
A
Kleyn
J
J
Oluoch-Mitchell
E
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Olmstead
L
L
Fisher
L D
LD
Krone
M
M
Ashley
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R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology