Multiple infections and associated risk factors among non-injecting cocaine users in Argentina

The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV, core antibody), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis infections and analyze associated risk factors among 504 non-injecting cocaine users (NICU) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Participants were interviewed in face-to-face sessions through a short structured questionnaire. Using venipuncture, 10mL of blood was collected. Seroprevalence rates were: HIV (6.3%), HBV (9%), HCV (7.5%), and VDRL (4.2%). The risk of being infected with HIV, HBV, and HCV was significantly associated with having had a sex partner who was either a drug injector or who was known to be HIV positive. HIV and HCV infections were associated with former imprisonment, and HCV was associated with having been tattooed. Because of the rising number of NICU and the multiple infections detected, it is essential to implement prevention strategies focused on this population.

“Clostridium novyi and Co: the drug injector outbreaks” – conference summary and recommendations

A scientific meeting was held in Glasgow, Scotland, on 15-16 October 2001 to draw together all the available information about the outbreaks of life threatening infection that occurred among drug injectors in Scotland, England, and Dublin from April to August 2000 (http://www.iduoutbreak.abelgratis.com/) (1, and references therein). Delegates from Scotland, England, Ireland, and Finland attended the meeting. As a result of the current international crisis, contributors from the United States and Norway were unable to attend. A series of presentations by specialists in epidemiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacy, and law enforcement allowed the following picture to emerge.

Introduction of HIV into drug injector networks outside AIDS epicentres

Injection drug users (IDUs) continue to be at risk for HIV infection despite high levels of knowledge about how human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is transmitted. Yet, among notin-treatment injection drug users, the chances of becoming infected with HIV vary substantially. Information regarding the factors that facilitate the introduction of HIV into networks of drug injectors in low HIV seroprevalence cities is urgently needed. This study examines the factors related to HIV seroprevalence in a large ( n =9492), multi-site sample of IDUs recruited in 11 low seroprevalence cities. Univariate and multivariate associations between drug injection and sexual behaviours and travel to an AIDS epicentre were examined. Results show that, next to male-to-male sexual contact, having sex at least twice in an AIDS epicentre was the strongest predictor of HIV infection. Also associated with higher odds of being HIV-positive were racial/ethnic characteristics, daily drug injection, and injecting drugs in an AIDS epicentre. These results confirm that travelling to an AIDS epicentre and having sex or injecting drugs play a large role in the introduction of HIV into drug injector networks in low seroprevalence cities.