Yale University

Hepatitis in used syringes: the limits of sensitivity of techniques to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, and antibodies to HBV core and HCV antigens.

TitleHepatitis in used syringes: the limits of sensitivity of techniques to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA, and antibodies to HBV core and HCV antigens.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1996
AuthorsHeimer, R., K. Khoshnood, B. Jariwala-Freeman, B. Duncan, and Y. Harima
JournalThe Journal of infectious diseases
Volume173
Issue4
Pagination997-1000
Date Published1996 Apr
ISSN0022-1899
KeywordsBase Sequence, DNA Primers, DNA, Viral, Hepacivirus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis B Antibodies, Hepatitis B Core Antigens, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis C Antibodies, Hepatitis C Antigens, HIV Antibodies, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Humans, Immunoglobulin A, Secretory, Molecular Sequence Data, Pilot Projects, RNA, Viral, Stomach, Syringes
AbstractHepatitis virus infections are common among injecting drug users. Syringes containing hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR); syringes containing antibodies to HBV core antigen and HCV were identified by EIA. Syringe use was simulated to determine the sensitivity of these assays. The mean limits for PCR were 0.082 microliter of blood for HBV and 0.185 microliter for HCV; the mean limits for EIA were 0.185 microliter for HBV and 0.023 microliter for HCV. HBV PCR testing of 681 syringes returned to the needle exchange program in New Haven, Connecticut, revealed a decline from 7.8% HBV-positive at the program's outset to 2.6%. HCV antibodies were found in 12.1% of 207 syringes tested. Syringe testing can help estimate the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis virus infections when standard seroepidemiologic analyses cannot be applied.
DOI10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03149.x
Alternate JournalJ. Infect. Dis.

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