[Rate of infection by blood-borne viruses in active heroin users in 3 Spanish cities].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this paper was to determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infections in active heroin users in Spain.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out in 440 heroin users in three different urban areas of Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. Specimens were analyzed for the presence of anti-HIV, anti-HCV, anti-HBc, and anti-HTLV antibodies.


RESULTS
The rate of anti-HIV antibodies was 20% (CI 95%, 16.3-23.7%); anti-HBc: 21.4% (CI 95%, 17.5-25.2%); anti-HCV: 59.1% (CI 95%, 54.5-63.7%); and anti-HTLV (HTLV-II in all cases): 3.4% (CI 95%, 1.7-5.1%). Barcelona and Madrid had similar rates for each virus, yet these were lower in Seville especially with regard to HCV (Barcelona: 59.7% [CI 95%, 53.1-66.3%]; Madrid: 63.8% [CI 95%, 56.7-70.9%]; Seville: 41.8% [CI 95%, 28.8-54.9%]).


CONCLUSIONS
HCV is the most prevalent infection among active heroin users in Spain. The rate of infection by blood-borne viruses is higher in Madrid and Barcelona than in Seville (notably for HCV), most likely due to a lower rate of intravenous users in this city.
Bassani
Sylvina
S
Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Toro
Carlos
C
de la Fuente
Luis
L
Brugal
María Teresa
MT
Jiménez
Victoria
V
Soriano
Vicente
V
D000328:Adult; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population