Viral Hepatitis in Problematic DrugUsers in the Czech Republic

Overview

Introduction:
Prevalence of viral hepatitis A–C markers in problematic drug users was studied.Material and Methods: Two groups of drug users, i.e. addicts enrolled in a mid-term drug withdrawalcommunity program (group 1) and penitentiary prisoners (group 2), were tested for the presence ofviral hepatitis A–C markers. Group 1 of 546 addicts (335 males and 211 females) included 163 maleand 91 female injection drug users (IDUs) and 172 male and 120 female mostly alcohol abusers. Group2 of 197 male prisoners included 150 injection drug users and 47 mostly alcohol abusers. Serologicalmarkers of viral hepatitis were detected by EIA within the entry check-up; RT PCR was used fordetection of HCV nucleic acid.Results: The prevalence rates of anti-HAV antibodies among group 1 addicts were 33.6% for IDUsand 39.5% for the remaining mostly alcohol abusers. HBsAg was found in 4.2% of IDUs and 0.0% inthe remaining addicts. Two IDUs also tested positive for HBeAg. Anti-HCV positivity was recordedin 22.4% of IDUs and 5.6% of the remaining addicts. The prevalence rates of anti-HAV antibodiesamong group 2 penitentiary prisoners were 40.7% for IDUs and 28.6% for the remaning mostlyalcohol abusers. Anti-HAV IgM antibodies were detected in 4.2% prisoner IDUs. HBsAg was foundin 3.4% of IDUs and 6.5%in the remaining addicts. Anti-HCV positivitywas recorded in 18.1% of IDUsand 16.3% of the remaining addicts.Conclusion: The prevalence rates of the markers studied in the addicts are several times as high asin the general population; therefore, the population of addicts is a potential source of the spread ofviral hepatitis.

Key words:
viral hepatitis – drug addicts.