title: Limited spread of hepatitis C among HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Stockholm, Sweden.
abstract: Reported cases of hepatitis C (HCV) have been increasing among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in many cities worldwide, including Stockholm, Sweden. This study was performed in order to see whether there is also an increase of HCV among HIV-negative MSM. A total number of 1008 MSM attending a clinic for sexually transmitted infections (STI) were screened for HCV. A confirmed positive HCV antibody screening test was found in five cases. Two of these also tested positive for HCV-RNA. We conclude that there is limited spread of HCV among MSM in Stockholm, and the prevalence of HCV among HIV-negative MSM is similar to that found in the general population.
authors.affiliation: Venhälsan, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden anders.blaxhult@sodersjukhuset.se.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blaxhult
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samuelson
authors.affiliation: Venhälsan, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ask
authors.affiliation: Department of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Stockholm County, Sweden.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hökeberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies
keywords: AIDS; HCV; HIV; MSM; STI; Sweden; epidemiology; hepatitis C; men who have sex with men; seroprevalence; sexually transmitted infections