INTRODUCTION: Linkage to care among individuals with substance misuse remains a barrier to the elimination of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). We aimed to determine whether point-of-care (PoC) education, screening and staging for liver disease with direct access to hospitals would improve linkage to care among this group. METHODS: All participants were offered PoC education and HCV screening. HCV-positive participants were randomised to standard care (controls) or direct access, which provided a direct pathway to hospitals. Linkage to care was determined by reviewing electronic medical records. Linkage of care cascade was defined as attendance at the specialist clinic, confirmation of viraemia by HCV RNA testing, discussion about HCV treatment and initiation of treatment. RESULTS: 351 halfway house residents were screened. The overall HCV prevalence was 30.5% (n = 107), with 69 residents in the control group and 38 in the direct access group. The direct access group had a significantly higher percentage of cases linked to specialist review for confirmatory RNA testing (63.2% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.025), HCV treatment discussion (p = 0.009) and treatment initiation (p = 0.01) compared to the controls. Overall, only 12.6% (n = 13) had treatment initiation during follow-up. PoC HCV screening with direct access referral had significantly higher linkage to HCV treatment initiation (adjusted odds ratio 9.13, p = 0.005) in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION PoC HCV screening with direct access improves linkage to care and simplifies the HCV care cascade, leading to improved treatment uptake. PoC education, screening, diagnosis and treatment may be an effective strategy to achieving HCV micro-elimination in this population.
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Halfway Houses ; Hepacivirus/genetics* ; Hepatitis C/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Point-of-Care Systems ; RNA ; Referral and Consultation ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous/epidemiology*

INTRODUCTION: To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood donor (BD), haemodialysis (HD) and intravenous drug user (IVDU) populations in Singapore and assess the IL28B polymorphism if HCV positive. METHODS: The BD population were healthy volunteers, the HD population were patients who were on haemodialysis for at least six months of follow-up between January 2009 and December 2014. IVDU population was from inmates at halfway houses who consented. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2014, of 161,658 individuals who underwent screening prior to blood donation, 95 (0.059%) were positive for HCV. Of the 42 sera available, common genotypes (GTs) were GT-3 (47.6%) and GT-1 (31.0%). Of 1,575 HD patients, 2.2% were anti-HCV positive. The HCV GT distribution was HCV GT-1 (32.4%), HCV GT-3 (20.5%) and GT-6 (8.8%). 83 halfway house inmates were screened. Of the 47 IVDUs, 36.2% were anti-HCV positive with predominant GT-3 (%). IL28B polymorphism was noted to be CC predominantly 85.3%. CONCLUSION Prevalence of HCV infection has decreased in both the BD and HD populations. However, it remains high in the IVDU population. GT-1 remains the most common in the HD population; however, GT-3 infection is now more common among the BD population in Singapore. IL28B - CC is the predominant variant among the HCV-infected individuals in Singapore.
Acute Kidney Injury ; blood ; complications ; Adult ; Alleles ; Blood Donors ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; blood ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection and explore the influence factors and their interaction on HIV/HCV co-infection of patient's access to methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Methods: A face to face interviews were conducted among 750 patients at two MMT clinics in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The questionnaires information included demographic characteristics, HIV and HCV infection status, history of drug abuse, urine test for morphine, high risk sex behaviors, needle sharing, dropped out etc. Methods of χ(2) test one-way, multivariate logistic regression and interactions were used to analyze the related factors of HIV/HCV co-infection. Results: The study subjects included 750 participants, 18.31% (127/691) of patients were co-infected with HIV and HCV. The HIV/HCV co-infection rate in patients who shared needles with others or dropped out of treatment was 35.84% (81/226) and 19.88% (64/322) respectively, which were higher than those who have never shared needles or dropped out (9.89%, 46/465 and 17.07%, 63/369). Logistic regression analysis results showed that after adjusted for confounding factors, patients who shared needles (OR=4.50, 95%CI: 2.72-7.43) and dropped out of treatment (OR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.04-2.80) were more likely to be infected with HIV/HCV. Interaction analysis showed that sharing needles and dropping out of treatment exist additive effect on co-infection of HIV and HCV (RERI=4.21, AP=0.44, SI=1.95). Conclusions: Needle sharing and dropping out of treatment are associated with HIV/HCV co-infection. Health education, psychological counseling and other measures should be taken to reduce needle sharing and dropping out of MMT.
China/epidemiology* ; Coinfection/epidemiology* ; Female ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; Hepatitis C/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Methadone/therapeutic use* ; Morphine ; Needle Sharing ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous/drug therapy* ; Substance-Related Disorders

OBJECTIVETo understand the risks and associated factors of HIV transmission by sharing syringes among HIV-positive drug users.

METHODThe survey was conducted among HIV-positive injecting drug users (IDUs-HIV+) who received HIV counseling, testing and treatment in Changsha city Infectious Disease Hospital and Hengyang city No.3 People's Hospital from July 2012 to May 2013 to understand their socio-demographic characteristics, HIV prevalence and syringe sharing. A total of 503 IDUs-HIV+ were involved in and provided the contact list of 2 460 drug users who had the syringe sharing experience over one month with IDUs-HIV+. 420 IDUs-HIV+ among 503 were defined as infection sources due to sharing syringe with at least one drug user. Among them, 234 HIV-negative persons were in control group, and 186 HIV-positive were in cased group. A total of 1 220 drug users were followed up among 2 460 and defined as vulnerable population. The HIV transmission rate was calculated based on the HIV prevalence among vulnerable population. Based on the result of HIV transmission to vulnerable population from 420 infection sources, case-control study and the multivariate logistic regression analysis were adopted to explore the associated factors of HIV transmission among IDUs-HIV+.

RESULTSAs the sources of HIV transmission, 420 IDUs-HIV+ had an average duration of (4.5 ± 1.2) years for drug use. As a susceptible population, 1 220 drug users sharing syringes with the 420 IDUs-HIV+ had an average duration of (1.1 ± 0.5) years for drug use. There were 238 HIV-positive persons among 1 220 vulnerable drug users, with a transmission rate of 0.57. In the case-control study, the proportion of male subjects was 87.1% (162/186) in the case group, which was higher than that in the control group (77.8%, 182/234). The proportion of subjects who received support after knowing their HIV infection status was 51.1% (95/186) in the case group, which was lower than that in the control group (79.5%, 186/234). The proportion of subjects sharing syringes every time of using drugs was 47.8% (89/186) in the case group, which was higher than that in the control group (36.8%, 86/234). The proportion of subjects having AIDS awareness was 21.0% (39/186) in the case group, which was lower than that in the control group (64.5%, 151/234); the proportion of subjects having close contact with HIV-positive persons for more than 106 days was 60.2% (112/186) in the case group, which was higher than that in the control group (31.6%, 74/234). The proportion of subjects maintaining the original drug use method after being infected with HIV was 50.5% (94/186) in the case group, which was higher than that in the control group (16.7%, 39/234) (all P values < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to analyse high correlate factors of HIV transmission by sources of transmission, and the AIDS awareness, duration of contact between sources of transmission and vulnerable population, access to support following confirmed HIV infection were protective factors, OR (95% CI) values were 0.155 (0.104-0.262), 0.170 (0.106-0.253), and 0.306 (0.189-0.450), respectively; while the frequency of syringe sharing and continuous drug use after being infected with HIV were risk factors, and the OR (95% CI) values were 3.06 (1.77-5.29), and 3.54 (2.16-5.80), respectively.

CONCLUSIONHIV transmission by IDUs-HIV+ might be contained by raising AIDS awareness, providing comprehensive psychological support, conducting needle exchange and methadone maintenance treatment and reducing syringe sharing.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Drug Users ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Male ; Methadone ; Needle Sharing ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous

INTRODUCTIONThere is paucity of local data on the prevalence of blood transmitted infections (BTIs), such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, among illicit drug users. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of BTIs among substance dependent inpatients and identify the factors associated with BTIs.

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical notes of 170 inpatients with a diagnosis of substance dependence who were admitted at the National Addictions Management Service, Singapore, between 1 June 2009 and 31 May 2010.

RESULTSMajority of the 170 inpatients were male (88.2%) and Chinese (58.2%). The mean age of the patients was 43.1 years, and the main drug of abuse was opioids (86.5%). BTIs were found in 70 (41.2%) inpatients; the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections was 3.7%, 39.6% and 0%, respectively. Lifetime intravenous drug use, but not needle-sharing, was more common among inpatients who were positive for BTIs (p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that lifetime intravenous drug use (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.7- 10.8, p < 0.01) was the only significant predictor of BTIs.

CONCLUSIONA large proportion (41.2%) of the substance users seeking help was positive for at least one BTI. Lifetime intravenous drug users were found to be more than four times more likely to have a BTI. Early detection and prevention is essential to improve prognosis.

Adult ; Analgesics, Opioid ; therapeutic use ; Female ; HIV Infections ; blood ; complications ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; complications ; Hepatitis C ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needle Sharing ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; blood ; complications ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the survival time and its impact factors among AIDS patients who initially received antiretroviral treatment (ART) of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the information of AIDS patients over 18 years old initially received ART in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture during 2005-2013, which were downloaded from Chinese AIDS Antiretroviral Therapy DATA Fax Information System. Cox proportion hazard regression model was used to identify impact factors related survival time.

RESULTSAmong 8 310 ART AIDS patients who initially received ART, their mean age was (34.59 ± 9.10) years old, 65.50% (5 443 cases) were infected with HIV through injecting drug use, the mean time from testing HIV positive to starting ART were (24.68 ± 21.69) months. 436 cases died of AIDS related diseases, 28.67% (125 cases) of them died within the first 6 months of treatment. The cumulative survival rate of receiving ART in 1, 2, 3, 4 5 years were 97.11%, 93.41%, 90.61%, 88.81%, 86.02%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed the male patients receiveing ART were at a higher risk death of AIDS related diseases compared to the females (HR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.13-2.182), the patients infected with HIV through injecting drug use were at a higher risk deathcompared to the infected through heterosexual transmission (HR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.20-2.24), before the treatment patients with tuberculosis in recent1 year had higher death hazard as compared to those without tuberculosis (HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.05-2.21), in the treatment of the first 3 months of AIDS related diseases or symptoms of AIDS patients had higher death hazard as compared to those not suffer these diseases (HR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.39-2.34). The patients with baseline CD4 (+) T lymphocytes cell counts < 50/µl (HR = 9.79, 95% CI: 6.03-15.89), 50-199/µl (HR = 3.26, 95% CI: 2.32-4.59), 200-349/µl (HR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.22-2.34), were at a higher risk death than those with CD4 (+) T lymphocytes cell counts ≥ 350/µl.

CONCLUSIONAccumulate survival rate was higher after initial antiretroviral treatment among AIDS patients in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan province. AIDS patients who are males, have tuberculosis in recent year, infected HIV via route of intravenous drug use, with AIDS-related illness or symptoms in 3 months before ART, lower baseline CD4 (+) T lymphocyte count have higher risk of death.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Adult ; Anti-Retroviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; Survival Rate ; Tuberculosis ; complications

Rothia muciliaginosa (R. mucilaginosa) is a facultative, Gram-positive coccus that is considered to be part of the normal flora of the mouth and respiratory tract. There are sporadic reports of the organism causing endocarditis in patients with heart valve abnormalities, as well as meningitis, septicemia, and pneumonia associated with intravenous drug abuse. However, it is an unusual pathogen in cases of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis. Although R. mucilaginosa is generally susceptible to penicillin, ampicillin, cefotaxime, imipenem, rifampicin, and glycopeptides, there are no guidelines for the treatment of PD-associated peritonitis. Herein, we report a case of PD-associated peritonitis due to R. mucilaginosa that was resolved with intraperitoneal antibiotic treatment.
Ampicillin ; Cefotaxime ; Endocarditis ; Glycopeptides ; Heart Valves ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Meningitis ; Mouth ; Penicillins ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Peritonitis* ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory System ; Rifampin ; Sepsis ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous

OBJECTIVETo explore seroepidemiological status and vaccine coverage of hepatitis B among drug users in Xi'an.

METHODS545 drug users in the Xi'an Compulsory Detoxification Center were asked to answer questionnaire and provide blood sample (3-5 ml) for test of HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs from March to June 2013. Totally, 545 subjects were surveyed and tested. All of them effectively completed the survey.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBs were 29.4% (160/545), 60.0% (327/545) and 56.1% (306/545), respectively. Eighty five subjects (15.6%) were negative for all of the three markers. The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc among injection drug users were 40.0% (94/235) and 65.6% (154/235), which was significantly higher than non- injection drug users' (21.6% (52/241), 58.5% (141/241)) and mixed non-injection and injection drug users ((20.3% (14/69), 46.4% (32/69)) (χ(2) = 23.518 and 9.017, respectively, P < 0.05) . The HBsAg positive rate (30.6% (153/500)) of subjects with more than once per day of drug using within one year was significantly higher than those who used drugs for 2-3 times per week (15.6% (7/45)) (χ(2) = 4.51, P < 0.05). Only 11.7% (64/545) of drug users had a clear history of hepatitis B vaccination. The vaccination rate of subjects (3.5% (5/141)) with primary education or below was significantly lower than those with high school (16.3% (45/276)) (χ(2) = 26.61, P < 0.05). The vaccination rate of subjects (7.8% (12/153)) over 45 years old was significantly lower than that of subjects below 30 years old (15.9% (21/132)) and 30-44 years old (11.9% (31/260)) (χ(2) = 30.36, P < 0.05). The vaccinees had a significantly higher positive rate of anti-HBs (73.4% (47/64)) than those who without vaccination (53.8% (259/481)) (χ(2) = 8.81, P = 0.003), but the positive rates of HBsAg (16.7% (11/64)) were lower than those who without vaccination (31.0% (149/481)) (χ(2) = 23.52 and 9.02, respectively;P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe HBV infection status among drug users in Xi'an was in serious condition, while a low vaccination rate was also discovered among them.

Adult ; Age Factors ; China ; epidemiology ; Drug Users ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; epidemiology ; Vaccination

Endophthalmitis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; pathogenicity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; complications

OBJECTIVETo measure related cost, effectiveness and benefit of needle and syringe exchange (NSP) in two provinces of Southwest China.

METHODSBetween September 2012 and February 2013, program files and questionnaires were used to collect the information about cost, effectiveness and benefit of NSP during three program years (July 2009 to June 2010, July 2010 to June 2011, July 2011 to June 2012 ) in 31 counties of two provinces of Southwest China. Unit cost indicators including cost of providing per syringe and cost of covering per IDU, number of new HIV infections avoided by providing needle and syringe exchange were used to evaluate the effectiveness of NSP, and the benefit indicators included the fees for ART, hospitalization cost and follow up of new HIV infection avoided by NSP. NEAR model was used to calculate the cases averted by NSP. Chi-square test was used to analyze the different percentage of allocation areas between two provinces.

RESULTSBetween July 2009 and June 2012, 25 374 041 yuan were totally used for NSP. In province A, the top investment area was management (1 848 485 yuan) while it was comprehensive intervention (5 452 355 yuan) in province B. The cost of providing per syringe was 3.67 yuan, and it decreased from 6.96 to 4.01 in province A and decreased from 3.38 to 2.17 in province B with the increasing needles distributed. The cost of covering per IDU was 712.71 yuan and the unit cost decreased from 882.85 to 574.95 in province A and decreased from 760.48 to 625.07 in province B with the growing number of IDUs intervened. A total of 1 307 new HIV infection were avoided by providing NSP, so 19 413.96 yuan would be used to avoid per IDU infecting HIV. A total of 367 507 488 yuan of HIV/AIDS related expenditure were avoided by NSP and the cost benefit ratio was 14.48.

CONCLUSIONNSP has a good cost-benefit ratio and should be promoted.

China ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Drug Users ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Needle-Exchange Programs ; economics ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syringes