Hepatitis C virus serology in parenteral drug users with chronic liver disease.
Chronic liver disease is a common complication of parenteral drug use, and liver cirrhosis is frequently seen in users of both parenteral drugs and alcohol. In 1978-83, we studied 88 parenteral drug users with sufficient evidence of chronic liver disease to warrant liver biopsy. Current alcohol abuse was noted in 63 (72%), and six (7%) were former alcohol abusers. Cirrhosis was found in 33 (38%). Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) was detected in 86 (98%). Also, 40 of the anti-HCV positive sera were tested with recombinant immunoblot assay and all of these were reactive. All but one of the 31 patients with anti-HCV and cirrhosis were alcohol abusers. We conclude that parenteral drug users with chronic liver disease almost always have evidence of HCV infection.
Novick
D M
DM
Rockefeller University, New York, USA.
Reagan
K J
KJ
Croxson
T S
TS
Gelb
A M
AM
Stenger
R J
RJ
Kreek
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies