title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Murrill
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Castrucci
authors.forename: Hillard S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Weinstock
authors.forename: Beth P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spruill
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gwinn
mesh_terms: 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*