Age-specific seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infection among injection drug users admitted to drug treatment in 6 US cities.
OBJECTIVE
This study measured age-specific seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among injection drug users (IDUs) admitted to drug treatment programs in 6 US cities.


METHODS
Remnant sera collected from persons entering treatment with a history of illicit drug injection were tested for antibodies to HIV, hepatitis C (anti-HCV), and hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc).


RESULTS
Prevalence of anti-HBc and anti-HCV increased with age and reached 80% to 100% among older IDUs in all 6 cities. Although overall age-specific HIV prevalence was lower than anti-HCV or anti-HBc, this prevalence was greater in the Northeast than in the Midwest and West.


CONCLUSIONS
The need continues for effective primary prevention programs among IDUs specifically targeting young persons who have recently started to inject drugs.
Murrill
Christopher S
CS
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mail Stop E-46, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. csm5@cdc.gov
Weeks
Howard
H
Castrucci
Brian C
BC
Weinstock
Hillard S
HS
Bell
Beth P
BP
Spruill
Catherine
C
Gwinn
Marta
M
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*