[Prevalence of Bartonella spp. seropositivity in human immunodeficiency virus-infected and non infected intravenous drug abusers].
BACKGROUND
Serology is an useful tool in the diagnosis of Bartonella spp. infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seronegative patients. The value of this technique in HIV co-infected individuals is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Bartonella spp. seropositivity among intravenous drugs abusers (IDA), both HIV-infected and non-infected.


METHODS
A retrospective seroepidemiological study was carried out among 241 IDA. One hundred and forty-seven of them were infected with HIV type 1. The titer of serum IgG antibodies against Bartonella spp. were determined.


RESULTS
Thirty-three (14%) individuals were seropositive for Bartonella spp. Nineteen (13%) seropositive cases were found among HIV carriers and 14 (15%) among HIV uninfected people. No relationship between Bartonella spp. seropositivity and the CD4+ cell counts was found when HIV infected patients were analyzed.


CONCLUSIONS
We have found a similar prevalence of Bartonella spp. seropositivity in HIV-infected and non HIV-infected IDA.
Ramos
Antonio J
AJ
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Valme, Sevilla, Spain.
Vargas
Julio
J
Fernández-Rivera
Javier
J
Macías
Juan
J
Mira
José A
JA
Pineda
Juan A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001474:Bartonella Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G