Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 And Other Viral Co-Infections Among Young Heterosexual Men And Women In Argentina

M. A. PANDO, M. BIGLIONE, M. FERNANDEZ, J. REY, K. RUSSELL, M. NEGRETE, S. GIANNI, L. MARTINEZ PERALTA, H. SALOMON, S. SOSA ESTANI, S. MONTANO, J. OLSON, J. SANCHEZ, J. CARR, M. AVILA

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE

American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Año: 2004 vol. 71 p. 153 - 159

0002-9637

Infections with hepatitis C virus, (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human T lymphotropic type I/II (HTLV-I/II) virus are commonly found in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). We conducted a seroepidemiologic study among 174 HIV-positive heterosexuals in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1999. Evidence of exposure to HCV, HBV, and HTLV-I/II was found in 32%, 17%, and 5%, respectively. A higher prevalence of HBV infection was observed among males (33%) compared with females (12%; P < 0.05). Among women, a prior history of a sexually transmitted infection, injecting drug use (IDU), having had more than five lifetime sex partners, and having exchanged sex-for-goods were significantly associated with HCV infection, whereas an IDU history, syringe sharing, and having exchanged sex-for-goods were found to be associated with HBV infection. Among men, an IDU history and syringe/needle sharing were significantly associated with HCV infection. The IDU-related and sexual transmission of hepatitis viruses constitute a significant problem among young, HIV-infected, heterosexuals in Argentina.