Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology Medknow Publications on behalf of Indian Association of Medical Microbiology ISSN: 0255-0857 EISSN: 1998-3646 Vol. 25, Num. 2, 2007, pp. 174-175

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol. 25, No. 2, April-June, 2007, pp. 174-175

Correspondence

Study of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and HCV infections in intravenous drug users in Mumbai

K Saraswathi, A Dutta

Department of Microbiology, T N Medical College and BYL Nair Children Hospital, Mumbai - 400 008, Maharashtra

Correspondence Address:Deparment of Microbiology, Government Medical College, Amritsar - 143 001, Punjab, India (email: d_anuradha@yahoo.com)

Date of Submission: 16-Oct-2006
Date of Acceptance: 27-Jan-2006

Code Number: mb07053

Dear Editor,

Drug abuse and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are global public health problems. Intravenous drug use accounts for about one-third of all AIDS cases and one-half of hepatitis C cases. ^[1] It is the major mode of transmission of HIV, apart from high-risk sexual behavior, sharing of needles and other equipment. ^[2] Past few years have seen emerging recognition of hepatitis C viral infection amongst intravenous drug users (IDUs). Co-infected patients are more likely to progress to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis over a shorter period of time.

This study was carried out from July 2004 to September 2004 at the Department of Microbiology, T. N. Medical College (TNMC) and BYL Nair Children Hospital, Mumbai. The target group comprised of persons who had been taking drugs intravenously for the last three months and they were identified by a drug de-addiction center. Two hundred fifty blood samples were collected by outreach strategy and subjected to HIV-antibody testing and HCV-antibody testing. Testing was unlinked and anonymous, as per Strategy II, CDC guidelines.

Out of 250 IDUs, 74 (30%) tested positive for antibodies to HIV 1 and 153 (61.2%) were positive for antibodies to HCV [Table - 1]. Out of 74 HIV-positive IDUs, 68 (91.06%) were co-infected with HCV. Only HIV 1 was detected. The target population was urban in locale. The lowest age of entry to intravenous drug use was 13 years, oldest being 49 years. One hundred twenty-seven (51%) of the IDUs were in the age group of 20-29 years and 243 (97.2%) were males. All the 74 HIV-positive IDUs and 68 co-infected IDUs were males. Migrants (70.8%) were in majority, while 52% were illiterate and 82.4% were unskilled workers.

In our the study, prevalence of HIV infection amongst intravenous drug users was 30%, which is similar to previous reports. ^[1],[2] Only HIV 1 infection was detected, although there have been reports of HIV 2 infection among IDUs. ^[2] Prevalence of HCV infection was 61.2%, which is lower in comparison to a previous study. ^[3] There was a higher prevalence of HCV infection (61.2%) as compared to HIV infection (30%), which is consistent with a previous study. ^[3]

A large number (92%) of HIV-positive IDUs were also HCV-positive. Studies outside India also report such findings. ^[4] Most studies suggest that HIV-positive persons with HCV infection are more likely to progress to chronic liver disease and cirrhosis than HIV-negative persons with HCV infections and may do so more rapidly. Our findings have treatment implications, as antiretroviral therapy may be problematic because of hepatotoxicity.

References

Copyright 2007 - Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology

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