HCV and HIV prevalences strongly correlated in Asian communities with reservoirs of HIV in high-risk groups

Background: In some Asian communities, HIV epidemics initially concentrated in high-risk groups develop into generalized epidemics, while in others HIV epidemics remain confined to high-risk groups. We examined whether blood exposures in a community, as indicated by hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalen...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Devon D. Brewer, Adnan A. Khan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2010-04-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/827
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Summary:Background: In some Asian communities, HIV epidemics initially concentrated in high-risk groups develop into generalized epidemics, while in others HIV epidemics remain confined to high-risk groups. We examined whether blood exposures in a community, as indicated by hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence, can account for the variability in HIV prevalence in Asia.  Methodology: We searched the published literature for temporally comparable HCV and HIV prevalence estimates for pregnant women and other "low-risk" population segments in Asian communities with established HIV epidemics in injection drug users or prostitute women.  We assessed the correlation between HCV and HIV prevalences in these communities. Results: HCV and HIV prevalences were strongly correlated (r = .97, p < .001).  Conclusion: This finding suggests that blood-borne transmission drives generalized HIV epidemics in Asia and highlights the need for appropriately designed investigations of transmission modes. 
ISSN:1972-2680