Seroepidemiological Study of Hepatitis E Virus in Drug Addicts in Ahvaz, Southern Iran: 2005-2006

Seyed Alavi; Fatameh Ahmadi; Mohammad Ghasemirad

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Seroepidemiological Study of Hepatitis E Virus in Drug Addicts in Ahvaz, Southern Iran: 2005-2006

Author(s):

Seyed Mohammad Alavi^1,*,

Fatameh Ahmadi²,

Mohammad Reza Ghasemirad²

1Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Razi Hospital, Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, [email protected], Khoozestan, IR.Iran

2Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Razi Hospital, Jondishapour University of Medical Sciences, Khoozestan, IR.Iran

Hepatitis Monthly:Vol. 8, issue 4; 263-266

Published online:Dec 31, 2008

Article type:Research Article

Received:Mar 21, 2008

Accepted:Jun 22, 2008

How to Cite:Alavi S, Ahmadi F, Ghasemirad M. Seroepidemiological Study of Hepatitis E Virus in Drug Addicts in Ahvaz, Southern Iran: 2005-2006. Hepat Mon. 2008;8(4):. doi:

Abstract

Background and Aims: Poor personal health in drug addicts predisposes them to Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibody to HEV (HEV- IgG) and evaluate epidemiological features of HEV infection among drug addicts.

Methods: 224 drug addicts were included in this analytic descriptive study in Ahvaz, southern Iran, from 2005 to 2006. After a through physical examination and completing a questionnaire, 5 mL blood was obtained from each case and tested for anti-HEV-IgG by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method using commercial kit (Dia-prob). Data were analyzed in SPSS 11.5 using chi-square test.

Results: Of 228 cases, 35 (13.5%) were HEV-IgG positive. The sero-prevalence of positive HEV-IgG in injecting, inhalant and oral drug abusers was 22.8%, 9.1%, and 6.2%, respectively (p<0.05). HEV-IgG was positive in heroin, crack, and opiate abusers with a rate of 20.2%, 10.9%, and 11.6%, respectively. The sero-prevalence of positive HEV-IgG in the prison and addiction treatment center was 15.8%, and 13.3%, respectively (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Drug addiction is associated with an increased risk of exposure to HEV and resulted in the high prevalence of anti-HEV-IgG in addicts.

Keywords

Hepatitis E virus

Drug addiction

Seroprevalence

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Author(s):

Seyed Alavi:[PubMed][Scholar]
Fatameh Ahmadi:[PubMed][Scholar]
Mohammad Ghasemirad:[PubMed][Scholar]

Official Journal of Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases

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Seroepidemiological Study of Hepatitis E Virus in Drug Addicts in Ahvaz, Southern Iran: 2005-2006

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