Hepatitis C virus infection in intravenous drug users

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 10; no. 8; pp. 768 - 770
• Main Authors: Harder, J., Walter, E., Riecken, B., Ihling, C., Bauer, T.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2004; Blackwell Science Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Drug users; Female; Hepacivirus - immunology; Hepacivirus - pathogenicity; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C - pathology; Hepatitis C - physiopathology; Hepatitis C - virology; Hepatitis C Antibodies - blood; Hepatitis C virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Liver - pathology; Liver Function Tests; liver histology; Male; Medical sciences; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - complications; Viral diseases; Viral hepatitis; Drug users; liver function tests; hepatitis C; liver histology; Human; Drug addiction; Intravenous administration; Hepatic disease; Histology; Infection; Liver function; Viral disease; Digestive diseases; Viral hepatitis C
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2004.00934.x

Intravenous drug use (IVDU) remains a major means of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission. In this study, 101 drug users were studied prospectively after cessation of IVDU. Of these, 75.8% were anti-HCV positive, and 71.4% had elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase. These levels decreased significantly within 1 month of IVDU cessation (p 0.02). Liver biopsies showed minimal or mild fibrosis in 32 (71%) of 45 subjects, and severe fibrosis in two (4.4%) subjects. Anti-HCVpositive intravenous drug users in this study presented with mild liver disease and variable stages of disease progression. Biochemical disease activity might be affected by IVDU.