MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION AMONGST INTRAVENOUS-DRUG-USERS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection amongst a group of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) resident in West Suffolk (East Anglia, England) was investigated and compared with the prevalence of infecti on with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) . In addition, both the level of HCV persistence, as defined by detect ion of viral RNA, and the HCV genotypes present in this population wer e determined. It was found that HCV antibodies were present in 59% of those tested; by comparison 22% had antibodies to HBV and 1% antibodie s to HIV. HCV RNA was found in 44% of those with HCV antibody. HCV gen otype 1 was the most prevalent within this population although both ge notypes 2 and 3 were also represented. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.