High frequency of HIV-1 and hepatitis C co-infection among young Thai men: evidence for a changing pattern of HIV transmission in Thailand

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2003 Sep;34(3):580-2.

Abstract

To assess whether patterns of HIV transmission have changed in Thailand, we tested for antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a marker for parenterally acquired infection among HIV-infected and uninfected young Thai men. Antibody to HCV was present in 49.5% of HIV-infected men and 2.2% among uninfected men. These data suggest that a significant number of HIV infections among young men in Thailand may be associated with injection drug use.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Comorbidity
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • HIV-1*
  • Hepatitis C / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Military Personnel / statistics & numerical data
  • Risk Factors
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / virology
  • Thailand / epidemiology