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Open Access 01-12-2019 | Hepatitis C | Research article

Hepatitis C virus infection status and associated factors among a multi-site sample of people who used illicit drugs in the Amazon region

Authors: Aldemir B. Oliveira-Filho, Francisco Junior A. Santos, Fabricio Quaresma Silva, Nairis Costa Raiol, Camila Carla S. Costa, Juliana Nadia F. Piauiense, Luisa Caricio Martins, Yasmin Maria N. Cardoso, Jeruza Ferraz F. Di Miceli, Rafael Lima Resque, Gláucia C. Silva-Oliveira, Luiz Marcelo L. Pinheiro, Luiz Fernando A. Machado, João Renato R. Pinho, José Alexandre R. Lemos, Emil Kupek, Benedikt Fischer

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2019

Abstract

Background

Elevated rates of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection have been reported in epidemiological studies with people who used illicit drugs (PWUIDs) in different Brazilian regions. In Brazil’s Amazon region, studies have already identified the common use of illicit drugs among adolescents and the high prevalence of HCV infections among PWUIDs. However, all studies done with PWUIDs were conducted with small samples and within limited geographic coverage. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for HCV infection in PWUIDs in the Amazon region, northern Brazil, as well as estimating the prevalence and factors associated with the HCV spontaneous clearance (HSC).

Methods

This cross-sectional study accessed 1666 PWUIDs from multiple municipalities of the Amazon region. Socio-demographic, economic, drug use and health-related information were collected through interviews. Blood samples collected were tested for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies and RNA-HCV. HCV genotypes were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Logistic regressions were run to identify factors independently associated with HCV infection status and HSC.

Results

In total, 577 (34.6%) featured HCV antibodies, of which 384 (23.1%) had active HCV infection and 193 (11.6%) indicated HSC. Genotypes 1 (80.2%) and 3 (18.8%) were detected. HCV infection status was associated with the length of illicit drug use history, factors related to parenteral and sexual transmission, and factors of socio-economic marginalization leading to potential risk activities for HCV. HSC was associated with the ethnic (including indigenous) background of participants.

Conclusions

High levels of HCV infection were detected in PWUIDs. Genotype 1 was predominant. Intense use of illicit drugs, unprotected sexual intercourse, high number of sexual partners and social marginalization were associated with all HCV infection. HSC was associated with origin (Amazonian-born) and non-white (e.g., Black or Indigenous) of PWUIDs. These findings emphasize the need for improve HCV prevention and control services and care for PWUIDs in the Brazilian Amazon region.

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Title: Hepatitis C virus infection status and associated factors among a multi-site sample of people who used illicit drugs in the Amazon region
Authors: Aldemir B. Oliveira-Filho
Francisco Junior A. Santos
Fabricio Quaresma Silva
Nairis Costa Raiol
Camila Carla S. Costa
Juliana Nadia F. Piauiense
Luisa Caricio Martins
Yasmin Maria N. Cardoso
Jeruza Ferraz F. Di Miceli
Rafael Lima Resque
Gláucia C. Silva-Oliveira
Luiz Marcelo L. Pinheiro
Luiz Fernando A. Machado
João Renato R. Pinho
José Alexandre R. Lemos
Emil Kupek
Benedikt Fischer
Publication date: 01-12-2019
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Hepatitis C
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-019-4270-2

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Hepatitis C virus infection status and associated factors among a multi-site sample of people who used illicit drugs in the Amazon region

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Abstract

Background

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Conclusions

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