Characteristics and Outcome of Minority Group Patients in Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Minority status is associated with mental and physical morbidity, substance dependence, and poor outcomes. To compare characteristics and treatment outcomes between patients from two minority groups in Israel (Christians and Muslims) and patients from the majority population (Jews) in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), we prospectively studied all patients admitted to our clinic between 1993 and 2012 and followed up until 2013; 655 Jews, 67 Christians, and 37 Muslims. Christian patients differed from Jews and Muslims by younger age at admission to MMT, greater prevalence of drug injectors, and a higher proportion of Hepatitis-C and HIV sera positive. Muslims had comparatively less education and a lower proportion of females. The three groups had similar rates of one-year retention (75.9%) and opiate abstinence (68.1%). They also did not differ in long-term retention (up to 20 years): Muslims 5.5 years (95%CI 3.6-7.4), Christians 7.5 years (95%CI 6-9.1), and Jews 7.6 years (95%CI 7-8.2, p = .3). The Hepatitis-C incidence, however, was higher among the 21 admitted Hepatitis-C seronegative minorities (5.0/100 person years) than the 207 Hepatitis-C seronegative non-minority patients (1.7/100 person years, p=0.03). All groups had good treatment outcomes, except for Hepatitis-C seroconversion, which necessitates a specific preventive intervention among the minority groups.     

Serum HBeAg sero-conversion correlated with decrease of HBsAg and HBV DNA in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with a therapeutic vaccine

Currently, there are various approaches for developing therapeutic vaccines for chronic hepatitis B patients. Previously, an antigen-antibody-based therapeutic vaccine (YIC) has been conducted in a double-blind placebo controlled phase IIb clinical trial in 242 chronic hepatitis B patients. At the end of follow-up for 24 weeks, HBeAg sero-conversion rate was 21.6% in the 60 μg immunized group, compared to 9% in the alum immunized control group (p=0.03). To analyze the correlation between HBeAg-seroconversion, and decrease of serum HBsAg and HBV DNA, serum samples were back quantified for serum HBsAg and HBV DNA collected at baseline, end of treatment, and end of follow-up from patients who were treated either with 60 μg of YIC, or with placebo. Patients were dichotomized to HBeAg sero-converted and non-converted groups in comparison with patients in the placebo group. The correlations between HBeAg seroconversion and the decrease of HBsAg, HBV DNA and ALT levels during study period were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Results showed marked and sustained reduction of HBsAg, HBV DNA and ALT level in HBeAg sero-converted patients compared to those in patients of HBeAg non-converted and placebo groups. Reduction of HBV DNA and elevation of ALT was markedly associated with HBeAg seroconversion with an adjusted OR of 0.09 (95%CI: 0.01-0.62) and 0.08 (95%CI: 0.02-0.37) respectively after adjusted by age and sex, while reduction of HBsAg level was close to of significance (p=0.054). Analysis indicated that HBeAg sero-conversion was a reasonable endpoint for therapeutic vaccination.     

重庆市男男性行为人群HIV-1阳转率随访研究

目的了解男男性行为人群（MSM）HIV-1阳转率及高危行为状况,为开展有针对性的防治工作提供依据。方法对招募自愿参加第一轮随访HIV与梅毒均阴性的MSM于6个月后进行问卷调查,采集血样检测HIV与梅毒,分析性行为、HIV与梅毒的阳转率。结果随访调查157人,随访率78．5％,平均年龄（26．3±5．2）岁,寻找性伴的主要途径是网络,占75．8％,最近6个月的男性性伴数平均为2个,最近6个月与男性发生肛交时每次都使用安全套的比例为28．6％,6个月HIV抗体阳转12例,阳转率为15．3／100人年（13．9／100人年～16．8／100人年）,6个月梅毒抗体阳转14例,阳转率为17．8／100人年（16．5／100人年～19．1／100人年）。结论MSM人群高HIV阳转率、低安全套使用率与多性伴,将加速艾滋病在MSM人群中的传播,流行形势严峻。     

静脉吸毒人群HIV阳转率与队列保持影响因素

目的了解静脉吸毒人群HIV血清抗体阳转率和队列本底的社会人口学和高危行为特征以及6个月随访情况与队列12个月保持率的关系。方法于2002年11月,在四川省西昌市从社区筛查HIV抗体阴性的静脉吸毒人群前瞻性研究队列333人。在队列每6个月随访时进行HIV抗体检测来估算HIV血清抗体阳转率和分析队列本底的社会人口学和高危行为特征以及6个月随访情况与队列12个月保持率的关系。结果静脉吸毒人群队列12个月的HIV血清抗体阳转率为3.17×10-2人年(95%CI=0.98~5.37)和保持率为70.3%。在多因素Logistic回归分析中,与队列12个月保持率差异有统计学意义的变量为6个月能随访到(OR=8.74,95%CI=4.95~15.41;P<0.0001)和彝族(OR=0.50,95%CI=0.28~0.87;P<0.0151)。未见静脉吸毒人群队列本底的HIV高危行为因素与队列12个月保持率的关系差异有统计学意义。结论静脉吸毒人群HIV血清抗体阳转率彝族和6个月未随访到的吸毒人群队列12个月的保持率低。