Prevalence and associated clinical characteristics of hepatitis B, C, and HIV infections among injecting drug users in Korea

Abstract

Injecting drug use is associated with an increased risk of blood-borne viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV, respectively) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, their prevalence, virological characteristics, and associated factors are not clear among the injecting drug users in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infection, as well as their virological and clinical characteristics of injecting drug users in South Korea. Between 2007 and 2010, 318 injecting drug users (89.3% male; mean ± age 41.9 ± 8.15 years) were participated. While HIV infection was not found, the seroprevalence of anti-HCV and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) was 48.4% (n = 154) and 6.6% (n = 21), respectively. HBV/HCV co-infection was found in 4.1% (n = 13). Occult HBV infection was suggested in 5.0% (n = 16). Among the HCV genotypes, 1b (37.7%) and 2a/2c (35.7%) were mostly often detected. HCV RNA was detected in 98.1% (n = 151/154) and high-level viremia (HCV RNA level, ≥400,000 IU/ml) were observed in 59.6% (n = 90/151). In multiple logistic regression analysis, old age (OR 1.18 per year, 95% CI = 1.09-1.27) and ever-sharing injecting equipment (OR 4.17, 95% CI = 1.39-12.45) independently predicted HCV mono-infection. The prevalence of HBV and HCV infection were high but largely undiagnosed in the present sample of Korean injecting drug users. Strategic prevention, screening, and treatment are needed to reduce further transmission and morbidity.

A review of the burden of hepatitis C virus infection in China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan

“…Nineteen studies reported the prevalence of HCV infection in high-risk populations: ten were from China [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26], two from Japan [27,28], two from Korea [29,30] and five from Taiwan [12,[31][32][33][34]. Among high-risk populations, the prevalence of HCV infection was higher among IDUs (48-95 % in China, Table 4).…”

KASL clinical practice guidelines: Management of Hepatitis C

“…Among anti-HCV-positive persons, 98.1% were HCV RNA-positive 24. Meanwhile, in case of sharing cocaine suction pipe, the anti-HCV prevalence rate was similar to IVDU group 25…”

“…Domestic anti-HCV prevalence rate in the IVDU group was reported as 48.4-79.2% 21,22,23,24. Among anti-HCV-positive persons, 98.1% were HCV RNA-positive 24.…”

“…Anti-HCV positive rate of Korean intravenous drug users has been reported as 48.4-79.2% 22,24,407. Meanwhile, high HCV infection rate also has been reported in case of sharing cocaine inhalation tubes 25…”

Morphometric abnormalities of the lateral ventricles in methamphetamine-dependent subjects

“…Although the screen for seropositivity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was not performed because of legal and ethical issue, subjects who had positive results on hepatitis virus c (HCV) antibody and hepatitis virus b surface (HBs) antigen were excluded. The prevalence of HIV infection in South Korea is substantially low as compared with many other countries (Min et al, 2013; UNAIDS, 2012). Furthermore, the recent study examining 318 injecting drug users in South Korea has reported that HIV infections were not found while the prevalence of HCV and HBV infections was 48.4% and 6.6%, respectively (Min et al, 2013).…”