Seroprevalence of antibody to the hepatitis C virus in methamphetamine abusers.
- Author:
Jin Kyoo KIM
;
Ji Ho LEE
;
Byung Mann CHO
;
Soo Il LEE
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
seroprevalence;
anti-HCV;
methamphetamine abusers
- MeSH:
Drug Users;
Hepacivirus*;
Hepatitis B;
Hepatitis C*;
Hepatitis*;
Hospitals, General;
Humans;
Inpatients;
Methamphetamine*;
Prevalence;
Seroepidemiologic Studies*;
Substance-Related Disorders
- From:Korean Journal of Preventive Medicine
1991;24(4):465-472
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection in drug abusers. The subjects were 141 inpatients who had been admitted to a general hospital with the symptoms and signs of methamphetamine intoxication. Seroprevalence of antibody to the hepatitis C virus(anti-HCV) was 60.3%,(85/141) and it was higher in the group with increased frequency and duration of drug abuse, but such a relationship was not found in the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg). These findings suggested the possibility of high prevalence of HCV infection in methamphetamine abusers, and the importance of repetitive percutaneous injection in the transmission of HCV infection.
