title: Seroepidemiology of hepatitis B and D virus infection among intravenous drug addicts in Israel.
abstract: To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection among intravenous drug addicts (IVDA) in Israel, serum samples were collected from 400 asymptomatic individuals attending a methadone clinic in Tel Aviv. Overall 5.5% were HBsAg positive, 2.4% HBeAg positive, 52% anti-HBc positive and 6.6% were positive for anti-HD. Anti-HD was identified in 18% of addicts who were HBsAg positive and in 3% who were HBsAg negative and anti-HBc positive. Strong correlation was found between positivity to HBV antibodies and age and duration of drug use. History of jaundice correlated more strongly with anti-HD positivity than with presence of antibodies to HBV. We conclude that Israeli IVDA are less exposed to HBV and HDV infection than their North American and European counterparts.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Unit, E Wolfson Hospital, Holon, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rock
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lilos
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Shany
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens