PREVALENCE OF SEROLOGICAL MARKERS OF HEPA TITIS-C, HEPATITIS-B AND HEPATITIS-D AND HISTOLOGICAL ASPECTS IN INTRAVENOUS-DRUG-USERS

Objectives. - The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of in fection by HCV, HBV, HDV and HIV and their biological and histopatholo gical patterns in 104 intravenous drug users. Methods and results. - S eventy-five patients (72 %) had anti-HCV antibodies. Transmission was rapid because 33 % of those who had been drug users for 6 months or le ss had anti-HCV antibodies. The contamination rate was very high becau se 90 % of those who had been drug users for 2 years or less had anti- HCV antibodies. Thirty-four (33 %) had an HBV marker, and 6 were HBs A g carriers. None of the patients had anti-HDV antibodies. Only one pat ient had anti-HIV antibodies. Twenty-five anti-HCV antibody positive d rug users underwent liver biopsy. Seven (28 %) had normal ALAT levels and 18 (72 %) had permanently or intermitently elevated ALAT levels. T he mean histological activity on the Knodell index was 4.1 (range: 1-8 ). Conclusions. - This study indicates that contamination by HCV is al most inevitable after 2 years of intravenous drug use. The low prevale nce of HBV, HDV and HIV infection might be explained by a low endemic state of these viruses in our area.