Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C among drug users in Flanders, Belgium: association of genotype with clinical parameters and with sex- and drug-related risk behaviours.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
; 24(8): 514-22, 2005 Aug.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16133411
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic variation of hepatitis C among drug users in Flanders and to relate the distribution of genotypes to the characteristics of the population. Hepatitis C virus RNA (HCV-RNA) quantification and genotyping was performed on stored samples from 161 anti-HCV-positive injecting and non-injecting drug users. Information on sociodemographic status, drug-related risk behaviour and sexual risk behaviour was available for each drug user. HCV-RNA was present in 152 of 161 samples (94.4%). Genotype 1 was predominant (48.7%), followed by genotype 3 (41.2%), genotype 4 (8.8%) and genotype 2 (1.4%). In the multivariate analysis, lack of a history of injecting drug use was confirmed as a statistically significant predictor for infection with genotype 1. Predictors for infection with genotype 3 were the presence of anti-HBc antibodies and a history of injecting drug use. Being tattooed emerged as a statistically significant predictor for infection with genotype 4. The 94.4% prevalence of HCV-RNA among anti-HCV-positive drug users was considerably higher than the 54-86% chronicity rate found globally among HCV-infected patients. The results of this study suggest the existence of separate transmission networks for injecting drug users and non-injecting drug users. Finally, the results suggest that tattooing practices play a role in the spread of HCV among drug users.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Contexto en salud:
2_ODS3
Problema de salud:
2_sustancias_psicoativas
Asunto principal:
Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa
/
Hepatitis C
/
Hepacivirus
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
MICROBIOLOGIA
Año:
2005
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Bélgica