Hepatitis C transmission in injection drug users: could swabs be the main culprit?

Prevention programs for intravenous drug users have proven their efficacy in decreasing human immunodeficiency virus transmission but have limited effect on hepatitis C virus (HCV) contamination. A study was conducted to document the presence of HCV genome (HCV RNA) in 620 items of used injecting paraphernalia collected from representative sites. Using sensitive molecular techniques, HCV RNA was not detected on used filters or water vials and was seldom detected on cups (9%). However, HCV RNA was frequently found on syringe pools (38%) and on swabs (82%) at high titers. Our investigation, which was conducted in real injecting settings, highlights swabs as a potential source for HCV transmission.

Theory versus practice, bacteriological efficiency versus personal habits: A bacteriological and user acceptability evaluation of filtering tools for people who inject drugs.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: People who inject drugs (PWID) are exposed to associated viral, bacterial and fungal risks. These risks can be reduced by filtration. Large disparities in the quality of filtration exist between the various available filters. This paper compares both performance and user acceptability of three filters for drug injection (cotton filters, Sterifilt® and wheel filters) by combining epidemiological and bacteriological analyses. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study (ANRS-Coquelicot) using time-location sampling combined with the generalised weight sampling method was conducted among 985 PWID in France. Two filtration-based bacteriological studies of 0.20- and 0.45-µm wheel filters, Sterifilt filters and cotton filters were also conducted. RESULTS: The bacteriological study highlighted the value of using wheel filters with a porosity of less than 0.5 µm, as they limit the risk of bacterial and fungal infection. The results of this study clearly highlight a distinction between the efficiency of Sterifilt and wheel filters, the latter being more effective. Our epidemiological study highlighted that the use of cotton filters is widespread and routine, but is the subject of much criticism among PWID. Sterifilt is not widely used, and its adoption is slow. Finally, the wheel filter remains a largely untested tool. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Low product retention and ease of use are the two most important factors for filters for PWID. Bacterial and fungal risk filtration is less important. It is essential to educate PWID about the benefits of wheel filters. [Jauffret-Roustide M, Chollet A, Santos A, Benoit T, Péchiné S, Duplessy C, Bara J-L, Lévi Y, Karolak S, Néfau T. Theory versus practice, bacteriological efficiency versus personal habits: A bacteriological and user acceptability evaluation of filtering tools for people who inject drugs. Drug Alcohol Rev 2018;37:106-115].