Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C antibodies in prisoners in England and Wales: a national survey

Prisoners in eight of the 135 prisons in England and Wales were surveyed in 1997 and 1998 to study the prevalence of and risk factors for transmission of bloodborne viruses in prison. Subjects voluntarily completed a risk factor questionnaire and provided oral fluid specimens for unlinked anonymous testing for the presence of antibodies to HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the core antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBc). Almost 8% (4778) of the total of 60,561 prisoners were eligible and four fifths (3942) of those eligible took part. Among all those tested (3930) 0.4% (14) were positive for anti-HIV, 8% (308) for anti-HBc, and 7% (293) for anti-HCV (the anti-HBc and anti-HCV prevalences were not adjusted for assay sensitivities of 82% and 80%, respectively). Twenty-four per cent (777/3176) of adult prisoners reported ever having injected drugs, 30% of whom (224/747) reported having injected in prison. Three quarters of those who injected in prison (167/224) shared needles or syringes. Among adult injecting drug users, 0.5% (4/775) had anti-HIV, 31% (240/775) anti-HCV, and 20% (158/775) anti-HBc. The presence of anti-HCV and anti-HBc was associated with injecting inside prison and number of previous times in prison. The results suggest that hepatitis viruses are probably being transmitted in prisons through sharing non-sterile injecting equipment and that a risk of HIV transmission exists. Harm minimisation measures for the 6% of prisoners who continue to inject while in prison should be strengthened.     

Risk factors for monoinfections and coinfections with HIV,hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in northern Spanish prisoners.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in prisons of Cantabria (northern Spain) from June 1992 to December 1994. Inmates were asked to participate in a survey on prevalence and risk factors for monoinfections and coinfections with HIV, HBV and HCV. Crude and multiple odds ratios of risk factors were calculated (by polychotomous logistic regression). Prevalence of coinfections was higher than that of monoinfections. IDU risk factors were the main independent variables associated with monoinfections and coinfections with these agents. The strength of association increased with the degree of coinfection for IDU risk factors and penal status, e.g. duration of injecting drug use for more than 5 years yielded an adjusted OR ranging from 1.3 (95% CI: 0.4-5.1) for HBV monoinfection to 180 (95% CI: 61.0-540.0) for HIV-HBV-HCV coinfection. In comparison, sexual behaviours were less important than IDU risk factors.     

长沙市孕产妇乙型肝炎、丙型肝炎、艾滋病病毒和梅毒的感染情况

目的了解长沙市孕产妇乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)、丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)、艾滋病病毒(HIV)和梅毒螺旋体(TP)的感染情况,为疾病的预防,保护母婴的身体健康提供依据。方法用ELISA的方法检测HIV、TP、HBV和HCV。结果长沙市孕产妇乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)、抗-HCV、抗-TP、抗-HIV的阳性率分别为5.85%、0.52%、1.24%、0.09%,且HBsAg、抗-HCV、抗-TP的阳性率随年龄的增大而升高;HBsAg阳性率各年龄组之间比较,差异有统计学意义;HBsAg阳性孕产妇的感染模式以小三阳、大三阳为主;抗-TP阳性率30岁～、40岁～年龄组明显高于20岁～年龄组。结论长沙市孕产妇乙型肝炎、丙型肝炎、梅毒及HIV的感染情况有逐年升高的趋势,需即时采取干预措施,阻断和降低上述疾病的母婴传播。     

Prevalence of hepatitis B,hepatitis C,syphilis and HIV in Georgian blood donors

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) virus and syphilis in the population of blood donors in Georgia has been investigated. Out of 4970 donors 7.3% had anti-HCV (6.9% confirmed), HbsAg was positive in 4.1% (3.4% confirmed), Seroprevalence of Syphilis was 2.3%. Three individuals had HIV. Prevalence of HCV and HBV in Georgia is higher than national prevalence estimates of viral hepatitis in neighboring countries.     

Coinfections by HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in imprisoned injecting drug users

In order to know the prevalence and risk factors for coinfections by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among injecting drug users (IDUs), a cross-sectional study was carried out in two prisons of the province of Cantabria, northern Spain. Three hundred and sixty-two IDU inmates were recruited. All inmates were interviewed and their blood tested for HIV, HBV and HCV. Crude and multiple risk factor adjusted for (by polychotomous logistic regression) odds ratios were calculated. Prevalence of HBV-HCV coinfection (42.5%) was higher than HIV-HBV-HCV coinfection (37.3%), whereas monoinfections were very uncommon (overall: 13%). Long-term injectors and reincarceration were the foremost risk factors for both coinfections, showing a trend between the degree of association and the number of viruses infecting a patient. No significant relationship between coinfection status and sexual practices was observed. The results related to coinfections are consistent with previous studies of prevalence and risk factors for HIV, HBV and HCV, in indicating that the high rates of coinfections among IDU inmates emphasise the need to harm-reduction policy across prisons in Spain.     

A population-based prevalence study of hepatitis A, B and C virus using oral fluid in Flanders, Belgium

Ten years after the first seroprevalence study performed in Flanders, the aim of this cross sectional study was to follow the evolution of hepatitis A, B and C prevalence. The prevalence of hepatitis A antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibodies was measured in oral fluid samples collected by postal survey. Using the National Population Register, an incremental sampling plan was developed to obtain a representative sampling of the general population. A total of 24,000 persons were selected and 6,000 persons among them contacted in a first wave. With 1834 participants a response rate of 30.6% was achieved. The prevalence was weighted for age and was 20.2% (95% CI 19.43–21.08) for hepatitis A, 0.66% (95% CI 0.51–0.84) for hepatitis B surface antigen and 0.12% (95% CI 0.09–0.39) for hepatitis C. The prevalence of hepatitis A and C in the Flemish population is lower in 2003 compared with the results of the study performed in 1993. The difference may be due to a real decrease of the diseases but also to differences in the methodology. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen remains stable. Considering the 30% response rate and the high quality of the self-collected samples as reflect of a good participation of the general population, saliva test for prevalence study is a good epidemiological monitoring tool.     

佛山市吸毒人群艾滋病、乙型肝炎、丙型肝炎及梅毒感染状况调查

目的 了解佛山市吸毒人群HIV、肝炎和梅毒的感染情况,为预防、控制和治疗提供参考依据。方法 对佛山市2003年部分在押吸毒人员进行HIV、HBV、HCV和梅毒血清学检测。结果 706名吸毒者血液标本中,抗-HIV、HBsAg、抗-HCV及梅毒抗体阳性率分别为3．5％、21．1％、60．1％和5．9％。在检出的25例HIV感染者中,HIV／HBV、HIV／HCV、HIV／TP双重感染率分别为32．0％(8／25)、40．0％(10／25)和4．0％(1／25),HIV／HBV／HCV三重感染率为28．0％(7／25),未发现四重感染的现象。结论 应加大对吸毒人群的监测和防病知识宣传力度,开展干预措施,降低HIV等疾病在高危人群中扩散和传播的危险性。     

Prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C in people with severe mental illness

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed seroprevalence rates of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among individuals with severe mental illness. METHODS: Participants (n = 931) were patients undergoing inpatient or outpatient treatment in Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, or North Carolina. RESULTS: The prevalence of HIV infection in this sample (3.1%) was approximately 8 times the estimated US population rate but lower than rates reported in previous studies of people with severe mental illness. Prevalence rates of HBV (23.4%) and HCV (19.6%) were approximately 5 and 11 times the overall estimated population rates for these infections, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated rates of HIV, HBV, and HCV were found. Of particular concern are the high rates of HCV infection, which are frequently undetected. Individuals with HCV infection commonly fail to receive appropriate treatment to limit liver damage and unknowingly may be a source of infection to others.     

三种HIV抗体确证试剂盒检测早期感染的比较

目的 比较3种HIV抗体确证试剂盒检测HIV早期感染的性能.方法 对5份HIV抗体阳性血浆样品进行10倍系列稀释,然后用ELISA检测.对检测结果呈阳性反应的稀释样品分别用3种HIV抗体确证试剂盒进行检测以测试其灵敏度,所用试剂盒包括北京万泰公司的HIV 1+2型抗体检测试剂盒(万泰RIBA)、新加坡MP公司的HIV 1+2型抗体检测试剂盒(MP-WB)和比利时Innogenetics公司的INNO-LIA TM HIV Ⅰ/ⅡScore(INNO-LIA).用这些试剂盒检测11套HIV抗体阳转血清盘中ELISA试验呈阳性反应的样品(共48份).结果 对HIV抗体阳性稀释样品的检测结果显示,当5份样品在稀释100倍时,万泰RIBA均检测出阳性结果.在ELISA试验呈阳性反应的48份HIV抗体阳转血清盘样品中,万泰RIBA、MP-WB和INNO-LIA的确证阳性率分别为97.92%(47/48)、81.25%(39/48)和91.67%(44/48).万泰RIBA与MP-WB之间差异有统计学意义(χ2=6.13,P＜0.05),INNO-LIA与MP-WB之间差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.48,P＜0.05),而万泰RIBA与INNO-LIA之间差异无统计学意义(χ2=1.33,P＞0.05).对于含有HIV抗体检测结果不确定样品的6套阳转血清盘,用万泰RIBA、MP-WB和INNO-LIA检测的平均阳转时间分别为0.7、13.3、3.7 d.结论 与我国目前常用的MP-WB相比,万泰RIBA和INNO-LIA可以缩短HIV抗体确证的窗口期.

Abstract：

Objective This study was to compare the performance of three HIV antibody confirmatory assay kits in confirming early HIV infection. Methods Five HIV antibody-positive plasma specimens were ten-fold serially diluted and then detected by ELISA. The above diluted specimens were detected with the following three HIV antibody coufirmatory assay kits to analyze their sensitivity, including Wantai-RIBA ( Recombinant immunoblot assay, Beijing Wantai Biological Pharmacy, China), MP-WB ( HIV Blot 2. 2 WB,MP Biomedicals Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. ,Singapore) and INNO-LIA ( INNO-LIATM HIV Ⅰ/Ⅱ Score, Innogenetics N. V. , Belgium), respectively. These kits were further used to detect 48 ELISA-reactive specimens from 11 sets of HIV seroconversion specimens (a total of 48 sanples ) which were previously detected as HIV antibody-positive by ELISA. Results When 5 samples were diluted to 100 fold,Wantai-RIBA still can detect them positive. Among the 48 HIV antibody-positive specimens detected with ELISA,the confirmation positive rate for Wantai-RIBA, MP-WB and INNO-LIA were 97.92% (47/48),81.25 % ( 39/48 ) and 91.67% ( 44/48 ), respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the confirmatory results of Wantai-RIBA and MP-WB ( χ2 = 6. 13, P ＜ 0. 05 ), as well as between those of INNO-LIA and MP-WB ( χ2 = 5.48, P ＜ 0. 05 ); however, there was no statistically significant difference between those of Wantai-RIBA and INNO-LIA ( χ2 = 1.33, P ＞ 0. 05 ). For other six HIV seroconversion panels containing indeterminate specimens, the average seroconversion period of time for Wantai-RIBA,MP-WB and INNO-LIA were 0. 7,13.3 and 3.7 days, respectively. Conclusion Compared with MP-WB,Wantai-RIBA and INNO-LIA could reduce the window period to confirm early HIV infection.     

Seroprevalence of markers for hepatitis B, C and G in male and female prisoners - NSW, 1996

OBJECTIVES: 1. Establish the prevalence of markers for hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and G (HGV) in a sample of male and female inmates. 2. Examine exposure to multiple viruses. 3. Compare risk factors for HGV infection with known risk factors for HBV and HCV. DESIGN: Cross-sectional random sample stratified by sex, age and Aboriginality. Inmates were screened for three hepatitis markers. Participants were 789 inmates (657 male, 132 female) in 27 correctional centres in New South Wales, 1996. RESULTS: Overall detection of each of the three screening markers was 35% for HBV, 39% for HCV and 10% for HGV. Exposure rates were higher in female prisoners than males. Increased rates of anti-HBc were observed in Aboriginal inmates compared with non-Aboriginals (54% cf. 27%); anti-HCV and HGV-RNA were comparable between the two groups (36% cf. 41% and 9% cf. 10%). Markers were significantly higher in female injecting drug users (IDU), particularly HCV (90% cf. 66%). Thirty-five per cent of inmates were unaware of their HCV status. For HBV, 72% did not self-report past or present exposure despite serological evidence to the contrary. The multivariate analysis identified Aboriginality, long-term injecting and injecting while in prison as risk factors for HBV. HCV risk factors were female sex, non-Aboriginality, institutionalisation and IDU-associated behaviours. For HGV, female sex and previous imprisonment were significant risk factors but IDU was not. CONCLUSIONS: Blood-borne hepatitis viruses are common in prison inmates, particularly females (HBV, HCV and HGV), Aboriginals (HBV) and IDU (HBV and HCV). Infection can be related to a number of risk factors, which appear similar for HBV and HCV, but distinct from HGV.     

Prevalence of markers for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection in UK military recruits

An unlinked anonymous survey was conducted to measure the prevalence of selected markers for HIV, hepatitis B and C infection in recruits to the UK Armed Forces to inform future screening and hepatitis B vaccination policies. During 2007, nearly 14 000 left-over samples taken from new recruits for blood typing were collected, unlinked from identifiers and anonymously tested for HIV, hepatitis C and current and past cleared hepatitis B infection. Overall, serological evidence of HIV and hepatitis C was found in 0·06% and 0·06% of recruits, respectively. Evidence of past cleared and current hepatitis B infection was found in 3·63% and 0·37% of recruits, respectively. Overall, prevalence rates were broadly consistent with UK population estimates of infection. However, HIV and hepatitis B prevalence was higher in recruits of African origin than in those from the UK (P<0·0001). Screening for these infections is an option that could be considered for those entering Services from high-prevalence countries.     

Prevalence of HIV,syphilis, hepatitis B,and hepatitis C among entrants to Maryland correctional facilities

Although high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in correctional institutions has been established, data are sparse regarding the comorbidities of hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), all of which may complicate the management of HCV. This study sought to estimate the prevalence and correlates associated with HCV prevalence among entrants into the Maryland Division of Correction and the Baltimore City Detention Center. Participants included all newly incarcerated entrants between January 28 and March 28, 2002. Excess sera with identifiers removed from samples drawn for routine syphilis testing were assayed for antibodies to HIV and HCV and for HBV surface antigen and surface and total core antibodies. Separately, all HIV-positive specimens were tested using the serological testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion. Of the 1,081 immates and 2,833 detainees, reactive syphilis serology was noted in 0.6% of the combined population; HIV seroprevalence was 6.6%; HCV prevalence was 29.7%; and 25.2% of detainees and prisoners had antigen or core or surface antibodies to HBV. A multivariate analysis of predictors of HCV positivity indicated that detainees, women, whites, older age groups, those who were HIV seropositive, and individuals with past or present infection with HBV were significantly more likely to be positive for HCV. These data indicate that hepatitis C remains an important public health concern among entrants to jail and prison and is complicated with coinfections that need to be addressed for effective treatment.     

Self-reported hepatitis C virus antibody status and risk behavior in young injectors

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to assess the accuracy of self-reported hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (anti-HCV) serostatus in injection drug users (IDUs), and examine whether self-reported anti-HCV serostatus was associated with recent injection risk behavior. METHODS: In five U.S. cities (Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle), 3,004 IDUs from 15 to 30 years old were recruited for a baseline interview to determine eligibility for a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention. HIV and HCV antibody testing were performed, and subject data (e.g., demographics, drug and sexual risk behavior, and history of HIV and HCV testing) were collected via audio computer-administered self-interview. Risk behavior during the previous three months was compared to self-reported anti-HCV serostatus. RESULTS: Anti-HCV prevalence in this sample of young IDUs was 34.1%. Seventy-two percent of anti-HCV-positive and 46% of anti-HCV-negative IDUs in this sample were not aware of their HCV serostatus. Drug treatment or needle exchange use was associated with increased awareness of HCV serostatus. Anti-HCV-negative IDUs who knew their serostatus were less likely than those unaware of their status to inject with a syringe used by another IDU or to share cottons to filter drug solutions. Knowledge of one's positive anti-HCV status was not associated with safer injection practices. CONCLUSIONS: Few anti-HCV-positive IDUs in this study were aware of their serostatus. Expanded availability of HCV screening with high quality counseling is clearly needed for this population to promote the health of chronically HCV-infected IDUs and to decrease risk among injectors susceptible to acquiring or transmitting HCV.     

探讨ELISA和化学发光法对血清中HIV-1/HIV-2抗体、梅毒抗体和丙肝抗体的检测

目的:比较ELISA法和化学发光法对血清中HIV-1/HIV-2抗体、梅毒抗体和丙肝抗体的检测。方法:用ELISA法与化学发光法对病人血清和标准物质进行以上三种抗体的检测,并对结果进行分析。结果:(1)化学发光法测定值较低的阳性标本,ELISA法测定有可能为阴性。(2)用化学发光法检测病人血清中HIV-1/HIV-2抗体为阴性标本的测定数据有一定程度的波动。(3)同一公司生产的以上三种抗体的标准物质,用ELISA均为阳性,可是用化学发光法仅丙肝抗体检测为阳性,而其它两种均为阴性。结论:基本证实了化学发光法比ELISA法敏感性高。     

HIV, hepatitis C, and hepatitis B infections and associated risk behavior in injection drug users, Kabul, Afghanistan

Limited prevalence data for HIV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) exist for Afghanistan. We studied a cross-sectional sample of adult injection drug users (IDUs) in Kabul, Afghanistan, from June 2005 through June 2006. Study participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires and underwent testing for HIV, antibody to HCV, and HBsAg. Overall prevalences of HIV, HCV, and HBsAg were 3.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7%-5.1%), 36.6% (95% CI 32.2%-41.0%), and 6.5% (95% CI 4.2%-8.7%), respectively (N = 464). Among male IDUs (n = 463), risky behavior, including sharing syringes (50.4%), paying women for sex (76.2%), and having sex with men or boys (28.3%), were common. Needle sharing, injecting for > or = 3 years, and receiving injections from nonmedical providers were independently associated with increased risk for HCV infection. The high prevalence of risky behavior indicate that Kabul is at risk for an HIV epidemic. Scale-up of harm-reducing interventions is urgently needed.     

Contraceptive method and self-reported HIV status among women in Malawi

ObjectivesWe aimed to describe contraceptive methods used by women in Malawi and determine whether contraceptive use differed by self-reported HIV status. Effective contraception is a primary method of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.Study designAnalysis is based on 12,658 nonpregnant, sexually debuted women ages 15–49 years in the 2010 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey. Analysis was restricted to respondents with contraceptive need (i.e., fecund and did not want a child in the next 12 months) who reported their last HIV test result. We accounted for the two-stage cluster sampling design by applying cluster, stratum and sample weights. We assessed differences in contraceptive method use by HIV status with χ² tests and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsA total of 893 (7.0%) of respondents reported being HIV positive. Use of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) was low and did not differ between HIV-positive (1.4%) and HIV-negative (1.9%) women [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.7, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.4–1.4]. HIV-positive women (15.6%) were less likely than HIV-negative women (30.4%) to use progestin-only injectable contraception (aOR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5–0.8). Prevalence of female sterilization was higher among HIV-positive women (17.9%) compared to HIV-negative women (9.2%; aOR=1.7; 95% CI, 1.2–2.3).ConclusionsLARC use was low among adult women with contraceptive need in Malawi. HIV-positive women were less likely to report progestin-only injectable use but more likely to report having undergone female sterilization compared to their HIV-negative counterparts. Noncoercive interventions that provide highly effective methods of contraception to HIV-positive women with contraceptive need are valuable methods of vertical transmission prevention in Malawi.ImplicationsContraceptive use differed by self-reported HIV status among adult women with contraceptive need in Malawi. Female sterilization was significantly higher, and use of progestin-only injectables was significantly lower, among HIV-positive women compared to their HIV-negative counterparts. Use of long-acting reversible contraception was low among both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.     

424名入境外籍人员乙肝、丙肝和梅毒监测结果分析

目的分析入境外籍人员传染病感染者分布特点和重点人群,旨在加强对乙肝、丙肝和梅毒感染者的管理,为有效防止其传播和蔓延提供科学依据,并进一步做好疫病的预防控制工作.方法对2004年度来内蒙古国际旅行卫生保健中心体检的外籍人员,进行乙肝、丙肝和梅毒的监测,并对阳性者进行统计分析.结果在总检数424人中,检出HBsAg阳性18例,检出率为4.25%;丙肝抗体阳性7例,检出率为1.65%;梅毒9例,检出率为2.12%;其中留学生的总检出率为11.43%,占总检出数的94%.结论随着入境人员的不断增多,三种传染病的总检出数较往年有增多趋势,在入境的各类人群中留学生的检出率最多,而内蒙古入境的留学生以蒙古国的为主,因此应将蒙古国来的留学生作为传染病监测重点,卫生检疫部门应该严格把关,避免各种疫病的传入和传播.     

Vitamins B status and antioxidative defense in patients with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C virus infection

Background & Aims  

The impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection upon B vitamins status and antioxidative defense in infected patients was examined.     

Gender differences in the relationship between housing, socioeconomic status, and self-reported health status

This study investigates gender differences in housing, socioeconomic status, and self-reported health status. The analysis focuses on the social and economic dimensions of housing, such as demand, control, material aspects (affordability, type of dwelling) and meaningful aspects (pride in dwelling, home as a refuge) of everyday life in the domestic environment. A random sample, cross-sectional telephone survey was administered in the city of Vancouver, Canada in June 1999 (n = 650). Survey items included measures of material and meaningful dimensions of housing, housing satisfaction, and standard measures of socioeconomic status and social support. The main outcome measure was self-reported health (excellent/very good/good vs. fair/poor). A three-stage analysis provides an overall picture of the sample characteristics for male and female respondents, detects significant relations between individual and housing characteristics and self-rated health status, and investigates male-female differences in the factors associated with fair/poor self-rated health. In multivariate analyses, a small number of socioeconomic dimensions of housing were associated with self-rated health status for women. For men, only one attribute of housing was associated with self-rated health: crowding was positively related to poor health, contradicting expectations and the findings for women. The self-reported strain of housework was unrelated to self-rated health for men, but strongly related to poor health for women. For men and women, satisfaction with social activities increased the likelihood of reporting better health. Future research should focus on the health effects of gendered differences in domestic and paid work, and on home and family roles and the interaction among gender, household crowding, and health.