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Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus, HIV and human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma viruses in injecting drug users in Tayside, Scotland, 1993–7

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 April 2001

P. G. MCINTYRE ,
D. A. HILL ,
K. APPLEYARD ,
A. TAYLOR ,
S. HUTCHINSON  and
D. J. GOLDBERG
P. G. MCINTYRE
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
D. A. HILL
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
K. APPLEYARD
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Microbiology, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK
A. TAYLOR
Affiliation:
Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, Glasgow, UK
S. HUTCHINSON
Affiliation:
Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, Glasgow, UK
D. J. GOLDBERG
Affiliation:
Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health, Glasgow, UK
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Abstract

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The prevalence of blood-borne viruses in injecting drug users (IDUs) in Tayside, Scotland was determined by testing serum samples from IDUs who underwent attributable HIV antibody testing during 1993–7. The prevalence of antibodies to HIV was 29/802, (3·6%); to hepatitis C virus (HCV) 451/691, (65·3%); and to human T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma viruses type 1 and 2 (HTLV) 0/679, (0·0%). The prevalence of HIV and HCV antibodies were higher in subjects over the age of 25 (P=0·03 and P=0·001, respectively). During 1993–7 the prevalence of HCV fell only in younger female IDUs (P<0·01). HIV prevalence has declined dramatically since 1985, when a rate of 40% was recorded in similar populations. Harm reduction measures have failed to control HCV the spread of infection among IDUs in Tayside, as indicated by the high proportion of antibody positive IDUs, particularly males under the age of 25. Future studies should address the nature and effective reduction of continuing risk taking among IDUs in Tayside.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 126 , Issue 1 , February 2001 , pp. 97 - 101
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press