Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Hepatitis C virus infection among illicit drug users in an archipelago of the Amazon

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Archives of Virology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes acute and chronic liver disease and may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or hepatocellular carcinoma. The behavior of illicit drug users (DUs) typically exposes them to risks of viral infection. In the Brazilian Amazon region, a number of studies have identified high rates of drug use among adolescents, and a high prevalence of HBV infection in DUs, disseminated by sexual and parenteral activities. However, the epidemiological scenario of HCV infection in the region is still poorly understood. This study determined the prevalence, genotypes, and risk factors for HCV infection among DUs of the Marajó Archipelago. This cross-sectional study collected samples and epidemiological information from DUs in 11 municipalities. The diagnosis was established by EIA and real-time PCR, and the samples were genotyped by multiplex real time PCR. The data were analyzed by simple and multiple logistical regression. In 466 DUs, 28.3% had anti-HCV antibodies, and 25.5% had HCV-RNA. In 92 injecting drug users, 88.0% had anti-HCV antibodies, and 80.4% had HCV-RNA. Genotypes 1 and 3 were detected, with three cases of mixed infections. The multivariate analysis indicated associations of HCV infection with age (≥ 35 years), tattoos, intravenous drug use, shared use of injection equipment, and the daily and long-term (> 3 years) use of illicit drugs. These findings will contribute to the development of effective measures for the prevention of HCV infection among Brazilian DUs, as well as its general population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Andrade AP, Pacheco SD, Silva FQ et al (2017) Characterization of hepatitis B virus infection in illicit drug users in the Marajó Archipelago, northern Brazil. Arch Virol 162:227–233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-016-3060-z

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Confalonieri UEC (2005) Saúde na Amazônia: um modelo conceitual para a análise de paisagens e doenças. Estud Av 19:221–236. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-40142005000100014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. De Paula VS, Arruda ME, Vitral CL, Gaspar AM (2001) Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis in riverine communities from the western region of the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 96:1123–1128. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762001000800016

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Duailibi LB, Ribeiro M, Laranjeira R (2008) Profile of cocaine and crack users in Brazil. Cad Saude Publica 24:545–557. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2008001600007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Ferrari JO, Ferreira MU, Tanaka A, Mizokami M (1999) The seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C in an Amerindian population in the southwestern Brazilian Amazon. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 32:299–302

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Furtado IM, Araujo LG, Almeida JM et al (2017) Use of marijuana and cocaine among students in the municipality of Breves, Marajó Archipelago, Brazilian Amazon. J Drug Abuse 3:1. https://doi.org/10.21767/2471-853X.100041

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Grupo de Estudo e Pesquisa Trabalho e Desenvolvimento na Amazônia, Universidade Federal do Pará (2012) Relatório Analítico do Território do Marajó. Disponível em: http://sit.mda.gov.br/download/ra/ra129.pdf. Accessed 2 July 2014

  8. Lopes CL, Teles SA, Espírito-Santo MP et al (2009) Prevalence, risk factors and genotypes of hepatitis C virus infection among drug users, Central-Western Brazil. Rev Saude Publica 43:43–50. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102009000800008

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Nelson PK, Mathers BM, Cowie B et al (2011) Global epidemiology of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in people who inject drugs: results of systematic reviews. Lancet 13(378):571–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61097-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Norouzian H, Gholami M, Shakib P et al (2016) Prevalence of HCV infections and co-infection with HBV and HIV and associated risk factors among addicts in Drug Treatment Centers, Lorestan Province, Iran. Int J High Risk Behav Addict 5:e25028. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijhrba.25028

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Novais AC, Lopes CL, Reis NR et al (2009) Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among male illicit drug users in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 104:892–896. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762009000600012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Oliveira ML, Yoshida CF, Telles PR et al (2009) Trends in HCV prevalence, risk factors and distribution of viral genotypes in injecting drug users: findings from two cross-sectional studies. Epidemiol Infect 137:970–979. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268808001970

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Oliveira-Filho AB, Pimenta Ado S, Rojas Mde F et al (2010) Likely transmission of hepatitis C virus through sharing of cutting and perforating instruments in blood donors in the State of Pará, Northern Brazil. Cad Saude Publica 26:837–844. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2010000400025

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Oliveira-Filho AB, Pimenta AS, Rojas MF et al (2010) Prevalence and genotyping of hepatitis C virus in blood donors in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 105:103–106. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762010000100016

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Oliveira-Filho AB, Sawada L, Pinto LC et al (2013) HCV infection among cocaine users in the state of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Arch Virol 158:1555–1560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-013-1627-5

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Oliveira-Filho AB, Sawada L, Pinto LC et al (2014) Epidemiological aspects of HCV infection in non-injecting drug users in the Brazilian state of Pará, eastern Amazon. Virol J 11:38. https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-422X-11-38

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Pacheco SD, Silva-Oliveira GC, Maradei-Pereira LM et al (2014) Prevalence of HCV infection and associated factors among illicit drug users in Breves, State of Pará, northern Brazil. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 47:367–370. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0153-2013

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Pereira LM, Martelli CM, Moreira RC et al (2013) Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C virus infection in Brazil, 2005 through 2009: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 13:60. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-13-60

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Pinheiro LM, Lima DJF, Amaral CEM et al (2014) Sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in riverside communities in the Marajó Archipelago. Brazilian Amazon. J Int AIDS Soc 17(2 Suppl 1):19180. https://doi.org/10.7448/IAS.17.2.19126

    Google Scholar 

  20. Prati D (2006) Transmission of hepatitis C virus by blood transfusions and other medical procedures: a global review. J Hepatol 45:607–616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2006.07.003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Rolfe KJ, Alexander GJ, Wreghitt TG, Parmar S, Jalal H, Curran MD (2005) A real-time Taqman method for hepatitis C virus genotyping. J Clin Virol 34:115–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2005.02.011

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Santos Cruz M, Andrade T, Bastos FI et al (2013) Key drug use, health and socio-economic characteristics of young crack users in two Brazilian cities. Int J Drug Policy 24:432–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2013.03.012

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Sawada L, Pinheiro AC, Locks D et al (2011) Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes among different exposure categories in the State of Pará, Brazilian Amazon. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 44:8–12. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0037-86822011000100003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Shepard CW, Finelli L, Alter MJ (2005) Global epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection. Lancet Infect Dis 5:558–567. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70216-4

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Shepard CW, Simard EP, Finelli L et al (2006) Hepatitis B virus infection: epidemiology and vaccination. Epidemiol Rev 28:112–125. https://doi.org/10.1093/epirev/mxj009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Silva MB, Andrade TM, Silva LK et al (2010) Prevalence and genotypes of hepatitis C virus among injecting drug users from Salvador-BA, Brazil. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 105:299–303. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762010000300009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Soares MC, Menezes RC, Martins SJ, Bensabath G (1994) Epidemiology of hepatitis B, C and D viruses among the Parakanã Tribe in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon Region. Bol Oficina Sanit Panam 117:124–135

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Te HS, Jensen DM (2010) Epidemiology of hepatitis B and C viruses: a global overview. Clin Liver Dis 14:1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cld.2009.11.009

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Thomson BJ (2009) Hepatitis C virus: the growing challenge. Br Med Bull 89:153–167. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldp003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Vallinoto AC, Aguiar S, Sá KG et al (2016) Prevalence and risk behaviour for human immunodeficiency virus 1 infection in Marajó Island, Northern Brazil. Ann Hum Biol 43:397–404. https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2016.1196244

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Valois RC, Maradei-Pereira LMC, Crescente JÂ, Oliveira-Filho AB, Lemos JA (2014) HCV infection through perforating and cutting material among candidates for blood donation in Belém, Brazilian Amazon. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 56:511–515. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0036-46652014000600010

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  32. Von Diemen L, De Boni R, Kessler F, Benzano D, Pechansky F (2010) Risk behaviors for HCV- and HIV-seroprevalence among female crack users in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Arch Womens Ment Health 13:185–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-009-0089-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Zocratto KB, Caiaffa WT, Proietti FA et al (2006) HCV and HIV infection and co-infection: injecting drug use and sexual behavior, AjUDE-Brasil I Project. Cad Saude Publica 22:839–848. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2006000400022

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Group of Study and Research in Vulnerable Populations (GEPPoV), Institute of Coastal Studies, Campus of Bragança, Federal University of Pará, Alameda Leandro Ribeiro, s/n. Aldeia, Bragança, PA, 68600-000, Brazil

    Fabricio Q. Silva, Francisco J. A. Santos, Andreia P. Andrade, Suzy D. B. Pacheco & Aldemir B. Oliveira-Filho

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Benedikt Fischer

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    Benedikt Fischer

  4. Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

    João Renato R. Pinho

  5. Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Belém, PA, Brazil

    José Alexandre R. Lemos

Authors
  1. Fabricio Q. Silva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Francisco J. A. Santos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Andreia P. Andrade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Suzy D. B. Pacheco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Benedikt Fischer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. João Renato R. Pinho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. José Alexandre R. Lemos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Aldemir B. Oliveira-Filho
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Aldemir B. Oliveira-Filho.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Financial support

This study was supported by Brazilian institutions: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPQ—475142/2013-6), Ministério da Saúde/Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde (MS/SVS—25000.201634/2013-31), and Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA-PRODOUTOR 2012). Fabricio Q. Silva★, Francisco J. A. Santos★, Andreia P. Andrade★, and Suzy D. B. Pacheco◆ received scholarships PIBIC-CNPQ★ and PIBIC-UFPA◆ to develop this study.

Ethics

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. All participants signed informed consent term and clarified. All participants signed questionnaire with answers to population characterization and determination of factors associated with viral infections. All study participants received their results of laboratory tests. Participants with viral infections were directed to reference centers for counseling and treatment in the state of Pará, Brazil. This study was approved by the Ethical in Research Committee of the Núcleo de Medicina Tropical of the Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém PA, Brazil.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Michael A. Purdy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Silva, F.Q., Santos, F.J.A., Andrade, A.P. et al. Hepatitis C virus infection among illicit drug users in an archipelago of the Amazon. Arch Virol 163, 617–622 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-017-3656-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-017-3656-y

Search

Navigation