Epidemiological Aspects of Acute Viral Hepatitis in Drug Abusers

Overview

Journal Infection

Date 1982 Sep 1

PMID 6293974

Citations 7

Authors

F Bortolotti

A BERTAGGIA

P Cadrobbi

C Crivellaro

E Pornaro

G Realdi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The epidemiological features of acute symptomatic viral hepatitis were examined in 151 consecutive, hospitalized drug abusers. Hepatitis B was diagnosed in 101 patients (66.8%), hepatitis A in 13 (8.6%) and non-A, non-B hepatitis in 35 (23.1%). Non-A, non-B hepatitis was significantly more prevalent among drug abusers than in an age-matched control population of non-drug abusers. Moreover, the mean duration of parenteral drug abuse was significantly lower among non-A, non-B cases than in patients with hepatitis A or B. These results suggest a wide circulation of both hepatitis B virus and non-A, non-B agent(s) among drug abusers in our area. These patients most likely represent a main reservoir of non-A, non-B infection due to the high rate of chronicity reported for non-A, non-B hepatitis.

Citing Articles

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in 373 Italian children with HCV infection: changing distribution and correlation with clinical features and outcome.

Bortolotti F, Resti M, Marcellini M, Giacchino R, Verucchi G, Nebbia G Gut. 2005; 54(6):852-7.

PMID: 15888796 PMC: 1774540. DOI: 10.1136/gut.2004.053744.

Reduced risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among injection drug users in the Tacoma syringe exchange program.

Hagan H, Jarlais D, Friedman S, Purchase D, Alter M Am J Public Health. 1995; 85(11):1531-7.

PMID: 7485666 PMC: 1615682. DOI: 10.2105/ajph.85.11.1531.

Epidemiology of hepatitis A in northern Italy: a seven-year survey.

Armigliato M, Bortolotti F, BERTAGGIA A, Carretta M, Meneghetti F, Noventa F Infection. 1986; 14(6):283-5.

PMID: 3818106 DOI: 10.1007/BF01643963.

Chronic evolution of acute hepatitis type B: prevalence and predictive markers.

Bortolotti F, BERTAGGIA A, Crivellaro C, Armigliato M, Alberti A, Pontisso P Infection. 1986; 14(2):64-7.

PMID: 3710594 DOI: 10.1007/BF01644444.

Non-A, non-B hepatitis: dead ends or new horizons?.

Iwarson S Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1987; 295(6604):946-8.

PMID: 3119121 PMC: 1248000. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.295.6604.946.

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