High prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Belgian intravenous drug users and potential role of the "cotton-filter" in transmission: the GEMT Study.

peer reviewed ; AIMS: To estimate viral seroprevalences for HCV, HBV and HIV among belgian intravenous (IVDU) and non intravenous (non-IVDU) drug users; to assess risk factors for HCV infection in IVDU; to assess feasibility of chronic hepatitis C follow-up in this population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Demographic and behavioural characteristics were obtained by a standardized questionnaire. Serum samples were tested for HCV, HBV and HIV. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: 329 patients (244 IVDU and 85 non-IVDU) attending ten general practitioners in 1995. RESULTS: HCV seroprevalence was 78.3%; it was... Mehr ...