Chronic liver disease is a common complication of parenteral drug use,
and liver cirrhosis is frequently seen in users of both parenteral dr
ugs and alcohol. In 1978-83, we studied 88 parenteral drug users with
sufficient evidence of chronic liver disease to warrant liver biopsy.
Current alcohol abuse was noted in 63 (72%), and six (7%) were former
alcohol abusers. Cirrhosis was found in 33 (38%). Hepatitis C antibody
(anti-HCV) was detected in 86 (98%). Also, 40 of the anti-HCV positiv
e sera were tested with recombinant immunoblot assay and all of these
were reactive. All but one of the 31 patients with anti-HCV and cirrho
sis were alcohol abusers. We conclude that parenteral drug users with
chronic liver disease almost always have evidence of HCV infection. By
1978-83, HCV infection had become well established in an addict popul
ation.