Blood-borne viral co-infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected inmates.
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Authors
- Pontali, Emanuele; Bobbio, Nicoletta; Zaccardi, Marilena; Urciuoli, Renato
- Source
- International Journal of Prisoner Health. 2016, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p88-97. 10p.
- Subject
- *IMMUNODEFICIENCY
*BLOODBORNE infections
*HIV
*MIXED infections
*CORRECTIONAL personnel
*EPIDEMIOLOGY of sexually transmitted diseases
*HIV infection epidemiology
*INTRAVENOUS drug abuse
*HEPATITIS B
*HEPATITIS C
*HIV infections
*PRISONERS
*PATHOGENIC microorganisms
*SEXUALLY transmitted diseases
*DISEASE prevalence
*VIREMIA
*DISEASE complications
- Language
- ISSN
- 1744-9200
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the prevalence of HBV and/or HCV co-infection among HIV-infected inmates entering the correctional facility. Design/methodology/approach - Prospective collection of data of HIV-infected inmates entered the institution over a ten-year period. Findings - During study period 365 consecutive different inmates were evaluated. HCV co-infection was observed in more than 80 per cent of the tested HIV-infected inmates, past HBV infection in 71.6 per cent and active HBV co-infection was detected in 7.1 per cent; triple coinfection (HIV, HCV and HBs-Ag positivity) was present in 6 per cent of the total. Originality/value - This study confirms high prevalence of co-infections among HIV-infected inmates. Testing for HBV and HCV in all HIV-infected inmates at entry in any correctional system is recommended to identify those in need of specific care and/or preventing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]