High prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users in Korea.
Although intravenous drug users are a well-known route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission, there is no data on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users in Korea. In order to describe the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection, and to determine HCV genotypes in the population, serum samples were collected from 107 intravenous drug users during 2005-2006. Fifty-seven percent (n = 61) were HCV RNA positive and 51% (n = 55) were HBV DNA positive. Co-infection of HBV and HCV were found in 23% (n = 25). HCV genotypes 1b, 2a/2c, 2, 2b, and 3a were found in 38% (n = 23), 44% (n = 27), 8% (n = 5), 2% (n = 1), and 3% (n = 2), respectively. Moreover, mixed infections of genotypes 1b and 2a/2c were found in 5% (n = 3). When the number of patients with HCV genotype 1b compared with that of patients with genotype 2a/2c, HBV DNA titer was not significantly different by independent t-test (t = -0.881, P = 0.392 > 0.05) between the two patient groups. These results suggest that the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users is high showing over 50% in Korea and a strategic prevention program should be performed in this group to prevent further infection into local community.
Yun
Haesun
H
Division of Enteric and Hepatitis viruses, Center for Infections Disease, Korea National Institute of Health, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Daijin
D
Kim
Soyeon
S
Kang
Sujin
S
Jeong
Seunghee
S
Cheon
Yonghoon
Y
Joe
Keunho
K
Gwon
Do-Hoon
DH
Cho
Sung-Nam
SN
Jee
Youngmee
Y
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D019562:Viral Load
D004279:DNA, Viral