[Infection by HIV and the hepatitis B, C, and D viruses in intravenous drug addicts. Seroprevalence at 1 year and its follow-up].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present article was to study the serology of intravenous drug user patients against the hepatitis B, C, D, and HIV, during 1990 and the follow-up during the same year, and 1991.


METHODS
A study of 265 patients (mean age: 25 years, range: 16-45; 206 males and 59 females) was carried out. Forty-two percent came because of detoxication treatment, 30% requested diagnosis for hepatic disturbances and the only data provided in 28% were that they were intravenous drug users. None of the patients was an inmate from prisons.


RESULTS
Seroprevalences were 67.5% for the HBV, 75.6% for HCV, 17% for HDV and 50.2% for HIV. In the patients seronegative for HBV (65%) and HIV (58%) no new serologic controls were performed during the study period, while in those who underwent controls the rates of seroconversion were 43.3% and 32%, respectively. In 30% of all seroconversions to HBV coinfection with HDV was found and in 23% antibodies against HIV were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to the high rates of infection obtained, the authors believe that serologic follow up of intravenous drug users is advisable.
Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Severo Ochoa, Leganés, Madrid.
A
A
Delgado-Iribarren
I
I
Wilhelmi
B
B
Padilla
T
T
Cañedo
J
J
Gómez
J
J
Elviro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000276:immunology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology*
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies