| Due to the risk of perceived reinfection, many persons with hepatitis C virus infection with a recent or continuing history of injection drug use do not receive treatment for the virus. However, few prospective studies have been conducted to investigate hepatitis C virus reinfection among the injection drug user population. In the current study, 224 persons with past or continuing injection drug use were followed from 1997 to 2007. Data -- including demographics and injection drug use and sexual behaviors -- were collected at baseline and every six months. Serum was tested for the presence of hepatitis C virus antibodies and serially for hepatitis C virus RNA. Resolvers were defined as hepatitis C virus antibody and RIBA positive and RNA negative at two consecutive time points, or as becoming hepatitis C virus RNA negative after hepatitis C virus antiviral treatment. The presence of hepatitis C virus RNA at two or more visits was classified as reinfection. Among the participants, 186 had chronic hepatitis C, and 38 had resolved hepatitis C. Resolvers were followed for a total of 214 person-years. Ongoing injection drug use was reported by 42% of resolvers, representing 58 person-years of injection drug use. Among the resolvers just one reinfection occurred -- a reinfection rate of 0.47 cases per 100 person-years of follow-up. The reinfection occurred in a person who continued to inject drugs -- a reinfection rate of 1.75 cases per 100 person-years of injection drug use. “These data suggest that despite ongoing injection drug use, persistent hepatitis C virus reinfection is lower than previously published,” the authors concluded. “This can be attributed to a more clinically relevant definition of reinfection. This information will better help clinicians make informed decisions regarding hepatitis C virus treatment options for patients who may continue to inject illicit drugs.” hivplusmag.com
[This summary provided by the CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention | Drug and Alcohol Dependence | Vol. 93, Nos. 1-2 | Sue L. Currie, et al]
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