FREQUENCY OF SEROLOGICAL MARKERS FOR HEPA TITIS-B AND HEPATITIS-C VIRUSES AND HIV IN A POPULATION OF DRUG-ABUSERS HOSPITALIZED FROM 1990 TO1992

Data on drug abusers collected at the Pharmacodependence centre of the Moselle (IPM) from 1990 to 1992 was used to establish the prevalences of hepatitic B and C viruses (HBV, HCV) and human immunodeficiency vi rus (HIV) and the clinicobiological type of the subjects infected with the HBV. Transaminase levels in HCV positive subjects was measured an d a correlation was looked for between the serology status and age and duration of drug abuse. The prevalence for seropositivity for HBV and HCV was higher than for HIV, and the prevalence of HCV was higher tha n that of HBV (in 1992: HIV+ = 8.2 %, HBV+ = 46.7 %, HCV+ = 71.2 %; n = 184). Less than one third of the study population was totally serone gative. It thus appeared that preventive measures against HIV have not been effective against HBV or HCV, especially that drug abusers know little about these viruses. HBV and HCV prevalences should be evaluate d separately. The risk of chronic HBV infection was low (estimated at 10 %) and contamination in drug abuses came later than for HCV. Seropr evalence of HBV was 46.7 % in 1992 in the study population. The risk o f chronic HCV infection was 50 % and contamination came earlier than f or HBV. Seroprevalence of HCV was 71.2 % in 1992 in the study populati on. In the same population, the seroprevalence of HIV was 8.2 %. For t hese drug abusers, the risk of HCV contamination was comparable with t hat of HIV infection. The main efforts for prevention and care in drug abusers should be concentrated on HIV then on HCV.