Department of Psychiatry, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
J Med Virol. 2013 Apr;85(4):575-82. doi: 10.1002/jmv.23523. Epub 2013 Jan 30.
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.
注射吸毒与血源性病原体感染（如乙型肝炎病毒[HBV]和丙型肝炎病毒[HCV]，分别）和人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）的风险增加有关。然而，在韩国的注射吸毒者中，它们的流行率、病毒学特征和相关因素尚不清楚。本研究旨在确定韩国注射吸毒者中 HBV、HCV 和 HIV 感染的流行率，以及它们的病毒学和临床特征。2007 年至 2010 年期间，有 318 名注射吸毒者（89.3%为男性；平均年龄 41.9±8.15 岁）参与了此项研究。虽然未发现 HIV 感染，但抗 HCV 和 HBV 表面抗原（HBsAg）的血清阳性率分别为 48.4%（n=154）和 6.6%（n=21）。HBV/HCV 合并感染占 4.1%（n=13）。有 5.0%（n=16）提示隐匿性 HBV 感染。在 HCV 基因型中，1b（37.7%）和 2a/2c（35.7%）最为常见。98.1%（n=151/154）的 HCV RNA 被检出，其中 59.6%（n=90/151）的 HCV RNA 水平较高（HCV RNA 水平≥400,000 IU/ml）。在多变量逻辑回归分析中，年龄较大（每年 1.18，95%可信区间 1.09-1.27）和曾共用注射设备（OR 4.17，95%可信区间 1.39-12.45）独立预测 HCV 单感染。本研究样本中，HBV 和 HCV 感染的流行率较高，但很大程度上未被诊断。需要采取战略预防、筛查和治疗措施，以减少进一步的传播和发病。
