title: Blood-borne viral co-infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected inmates.
abstract: Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the prevalence of HBV and/or HCV co-infection among HIV-infected inmates entering the correctional facility. Design/methodology/approach - Prospective collection of data of HIV-infected inmates entered the institution over a ten-year period. Findings - During study period 365 consecutive different inmates were evaluated. HCV co-infection was observed in more than 80 per cent of the tested HIV-infected inmates, past HBV infection in 71.6 per cent and active HBV co-infection was detected in 7.1 per cent; triple coinfection (HIV, HCV and HBs-Ag positivity) was present in 6 per cent of the total. Originality/value - This study confirms high prevalence of co-infections among HIV-infected inmates. Testing for HBV and HCV in all HIV-infected inmates at entry in any correctional system is recommended to identify those in need of specific care and/or preventing interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy AND Department of Health in Prison, ASL3 Genovese, Prison of Genoa-Marassi, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pontali
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy AND Department of Health in Prison, ASL3 Genovese, Prison of Genoa-Marassi, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicoletta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bobbio
authors.affiliation: Department of Health in Prison, ASL3 Genovese, Prison of Genoa-Marassi, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zaccardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health in Prison, ASL3 Genovese, Prison of Genoa-Marassi, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Urciuoli
mesh_terms: D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Blood-borne viral infections; HIV; Health in prison; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Prisoners