title: Can HIV and Hepatitis C Virus Infection be Eliminated Among Persons Who Inject Drugs?
abstract: HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are readily transmitted among persons who inject drugs. The HIV and HCV epidemics have expanded rapidly, becoming global health issues. Combined prevention has been implemented to reduce injection and sexual transmission of HIV and HCV among persons who inject drugs. Reductions in risky injection and sexual behavior have led to dramatic reductions in HIV in many countries. Whether comparable reductions in HCV transmission can be achieved has yet to be determined. Eliminating HIV and HCV among persons who inject drugs will require considerable resources and commitment, particularly in low and middle income countries.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Medicine , Mount Sinai Beth Israel , New York , New York , USA.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Perlman
authors.forename: Don C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Des Jarlais
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feelemyer
mesh_terms: D060740:Disease Eradication; D058872:Epidemics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: HIV; combined prevention; drug injection; hepatitis C virus; persons who inject drugs