Abstract
To investigate the risk of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in San Francisco, the prevalence of antibodies to HIV was determined in 281 heterosexual intravenous drug users recruited from community-based settings. Ten per cent of subjects had ELISA and Western blot confirmed seropositivity for antibodies (95 per cent CI 6.8-14.2 per cent). Analysis of behavioral factors revealed an increased risk of seropositivity in addicts who reported regularly sharing needles when injecting, particularly those sharing with two or more persons (odds ratio = 5.43; 95 per cent CI 1.08-52.5). Blacks and Latinos also had a greater prevalence of seropositivity than Whites, and this finding persisted after adjustment for needle sharing (adjusted odds ratio = 2.8; 95 per cent CI .84-8.59). Seropositivity was not associated with age, sex, duration of drug use, or history of prostitution. These data indicate that a new epidemic of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in intravenous drug users, similar to that which has occurred among homosexuals in San Francisco, is possible. The relatively low seroprevalence in 1985 provides health officials an important opportunity to intervene and attempt to prevent widespread infection of drug users with HIV.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Anderson R. E., Levy J. A. Prevalence of antibodies to AIDS-associated retrovirus in single men in San Francisco. Lancet. 1985 Jan 26;1(8422):217–217. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)92047-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Angarano G., Pastore G., Monno L., Santantonio T., Luchena N., Schiraldi O. Rapid spread of HTLV-III infection among drug addicts in Italy. Lancet. 1985 Dec 7;2(8467):1302–1302. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)91581-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Barré-Sinoussi F., Chermann J. C., Rey F., Nugeyre M. T., Chamaret S., Gruest J., Dauguet C., Axler-Blin C., Vézinet-Brun F., Rouzioux C. Isolation of a T-lymphotropic retrovirus from a patient at risk for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Science. 1983 May 20;220(4599):868–871. doi: 10.1126/science.6189183. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Carlson J. R., Bryant M. L., Hinrichs S. H., Yamamoto J. K., Levy N. B., Yee J., Higgins J., Levine A. M., Holland P., Gardner M. B. AIDS serology testing in low- and high-risk groups. JAMA. 1985 Jun 21;253(23):3405–3408. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Friedland G. H., Harris C., Butkus-Small C., Shine D., Moll B., Darrow W., Klein R. S. Intravenous drug abusers and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Demographic, drug use, and needle-sharing patterns. Arch Intern Med. 1985 Aug;145(8):1413–1417. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gallo R. C., Salahuddin S. Z., Popovic M., Shearer G. M., Kaplan M., Haynes B. F., Palker T. J., Redfield R., Oleske J., Safai B. Frequent detection and isolation of cytopathic retroviruses (HTLV-III) from patients with AIDS and at risk for AIDS. Science. 1984 May 4;224(4648):500–503. doi: 10.1126/science.6200936. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Jaffe H. W., Darrow W. W., Echenberg D. F., O'Malley P. M., Getchell J. P., Kalyanaraman V. S., Byers R. H., Drennan D. P., Braff E. H., Curran J. W. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in a cohort of homosexual men. A six-year follow-up study. Ann Intern Med. 1985 Aug;103(2):210–214. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-103-2-210. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Levy J. A., Hoffman A. D., Kramer S. M., Landis J. A., Shimabukuro J. M., Oshiro L. S. Isolation of lymphocytopathic retroviruses from San Francisco patients with AIDS. Science. 1984 Aug 24;225(4664):840–842. doi: 10.1126/science.6206563. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Robertson J. R., Bucknall A. B., Welsby P. D., Roberts J. J., Inglis J. M., Peutherer J. F., Brettle R. P. Epidemic of AIDS related virus (HTLV-III/LAV) infection among intravenous drug abusers. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 1986 Feb 22;292(6519):527–529. doi: 10.1136/bmj.292.6519.527. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Rodrigo J. M., Serra M. A., Aguilar E., del Olmo J. A., Gimeno V., Aparisi L. HTLV-III antibodies in drug addicts in Spain. Lancet. 1985 Jul 20;2(8447):156–157. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(85)90260-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]