Author/Editor		Baklan, Zvonko; Poljak, Mario; Seme, Katja; Čelan-Lucu, Branka; Fras-Stefan, Tamara; Pišec, Andrej; Mišigoj-Krek, Jelka
Title		Prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections among Slovenian intravenous drug users on methadone maintenance treatment
Type		članek
Source		In: Ferlan-Marolt V, Luzar B, editors. Viral hepatitis. Proceedings of the 35th memorial meeting to professor Janez Plečnik with international participation; 2004 Dec 2-3; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Faculty of medicine, Institute of pathology,
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 127-30
Language		eng
Abstract		Background: Intravenous drug users (IDUs) are at high risk of infection with several blood-borne pathogens, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among IDUs in Slovenia. Methods: 120 serum samples from the same number of IDUs on methadone maintenance treatment from different Slovenian regions were collected in the year 2000. Three markers of HBV infection, HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc as well as anti-HCV antibodies, were determined in all serum samples. Additionally, all anti-HCV positive samples were tested for the presence of HCV RNA. Results: The prevalence of HBV infection (measured as anti-HBc positivity) among Slovenian IDUs was 11.7%. Only 1.7% of IDUs had serological markers of active HBV infection. Serological marker of successful vaccination against HBV was detected in 11.7% of IDUs. The prevalence of anti-HCV among IDUs was 27.5%. Out of 33 anti-HCV positive IDUs, 28 (84.8%) were also HCV RNA positive indicating active HCV infection. The predominant HCV genotype was genotype 1, found in 67.8% of HCV RNA positive IDUs. Conclusions: The prevalence of both HBV and HCV infections in Slovenian IDUs is among the lowest found to date. In 2000, 76.7% of Slovenian IDUs were still susceptible to HBV infection. Therefore, a more intense action concerning vaccination against HBV is needed.
Descriptors		SUBSTANCE ABUSE, INTRAVENOUS METHADONE HEPATITIS B HEPATITIS C HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGENS HEPATITIS B ANTIBODIES HEPATITIS C ANTIBODIES CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDIES