HIV and HCV Intervention

Applications to HCV-Seropositive IDUs

HCV incidence among IDUs is consistently higher relative to that of HIV, due at least in part to its greater transmissibility; it is ten times more infectious than HIV when spread through the parenteral route (Gerberding, 1995). Worldwide, HCV prevalence among IDUs can be as high as 90 percent (Hagan and Des Jarlais, 2000), whereas HCV incidence ranges between 13 and 22 per 100 person-years (Crofts et al., 1997; Garfein et al., 1998; van Beek et al., 1998) and is highest among the susceptible pool of young IDUs. Furthermore, 20-30% of IDUs in the United States are co-infected with HIV and HCV, which can complicate the treatment of both infections. HIV infection can hasten the progression of HCV disease although it remains controversial whether or not the reverse is true (Thomas et al., 2000).

HCV infection can result in serious liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Approximately 80-85% of HCV infections result in a chronic carrier state where patients are infectious and capable of transmitting the virus to others (Alter et al., 1999). In some settings, morbidity and mortality attributable to HCV infections among IDUs could exceed that for HIV, since both infections are highly prevalent among drug users (Hagan and Des Jarlais, 2000). Since HCV is often acquired before HIV among IDU populations, interventions that effectively reduce high risk transmission behaviors among HCV-infected IDUs could also have a significant impact on HIV prevention (Garfein et al., 1996).

In comparison to HIV, there is limited awareness of HCV among drug users, as evidenced by the coverage of voluntary testing and counseling for both infections. In a recent study of ten publicly funded methadone maintenance treatment programs in Baltimore, MD, approximately 20% of IDUs tested HIV-seropositive, 80% of whom were aware of their infection and had sought care. On the other hand, 91% of these IDUs tested HCV-positive but three quarters had not previously been tested and were thus unaware of their infection and had not sought treatment (Loughlin et al., 2004). Clearly, IDUs will require improved HCV counseling and testing strategies as well as accessible and affordable HCV medical care.

The benefits of integrating treatment for substance abuse and HIV infection discussed above can be extended to the treatment of HCV infection. In San Francisco, Sylvestre found that HCV therapy (i.e., alpha interferon) offered in conjunction with methadone maintenance therapy was feasible, and had promising short-term outcomes (Sylvestre, 2002; Sylvestre et al., 2004). There is growing realization that patients with co-occurring HCV infection, substance use, and psychiatric illness can complete interferon treatment with careful monitoring and aggressive intervention although few programs are designed to manage these co-occurring conditions.

Although few empirical studies have evaluated interventions focused on HCV-seropositive IDUs, one such multicenter study is underway. Referred to as the Study to Reduce Intravenous Exposures (STRIVE), this study uses a peer-mentor approach to reduce injection related risk behaviors (e.g., distributive needle sharing) and facilitate access to HCV care. Even in the absence of proven behavioral interventions to reduce transmission behaviors among HCV-seropositive IDUs, important prevention messages should be shared with these patients. Regardless of the route of their infection, HCV-seropositive IDUs should be counseled to abstain or at least reduce their alcohol use, since alcohol can accelerate progression to HCV-related liver disease (Thomas et al., 2000). Additionally, these patients should be offered vaccines for both Hepatitis A and B, since these infections can further compromise the liver.  Printer- Friendly Email This

AIDS Behav.  2006;10(2):115-130.  ©2006 Springer
Springer Science+Business Media
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