PREVALENCE OF BLOOD-BORNE VIRUSES AMONG INTRAVENOUS-DRUG-USERS AND ALCOHOLICS IN HIROSHIMA, JAPAN

We investigated the prevalence of human immunodeficiency viruses-1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2), human T-lymphotropic virus type I and II, hepati tis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis D virus among intravenous drug users (IVDU) in Hiroshima, Japan, where little is kn own about their present levels. From June to December 1993, serum samp les were collected from 47 IVDU and 98 alcoholics in Hiroshima, Japan, and examined for markers of virus infection. The prevalence of antibo dy to HCV (anti-HCV) and/or HCV-RNA was significantly higher in IVDU t han alcoholics (74.5% vs 20.4%, 44.7% vs 10.2% respectively, P<0.001). In contrast, the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antige n and/or core antigen (anti-HBs and/or anti-HBc) showed no significant difference between the 2 groups (57.4% vs 66.3%). HIV-1 infection was found in one (2.1%) IVDU and genome analysis indicated that it was su btype B according to Myers' classification. Thus, an extremely low lev el of HIV infection and a high level of HCV infection was found in IVD U. Careful follow-up of this group is thought to be needed to minimize an outbreak of HIV-1 infection in Japan.