Original work ACTA.FAC.MED.NAISS. 1998; 15(1), 23-25

CHRONIC HCV INFECTION IN THE INTRAVENOUS DRUG ADDICTS
S. Tričković, Lj. Konstantinović, Lj. Aleksov, V. Kostić, M. Krstić, M. Vrbić, Ž. Ranković, J. Gligorijević i S. Bošković

In our work we present the clinical, biochemical, serologic and pathohistologic characteristics of chronic HCV infection in i. v. drug abusers treated in the Clinic for infections diseases in Niš, in the period of 6 years.
39 i.v. drug abusers were investigated, 32 men and 7 women, with chronic hepatitis C. Average age for men was 24,67 years and 22,28 years for women. Duration of i. v. drug use was 6,17 years. All patients were without complaints and liver damage was determined on routing examination as a part of the addictions treatment. Regarding functional liver tests level of aminotransferases was elevated: AST-90, 45 U/I and ALT-120,01 U/I. Total bulirubin was 34,5 mmol/l while the parameters of synthetic liver function were in the normal range. HCV infection is frequently associated with HBV or HIV infection. However, in our work, HBV infectition markers were found in 3 subjects only, and only 1 had HIV infection. O¤ pathohistologic axamination of 19 biopsied patients, in 16 was found minimal chronic hepatitis, in 2 a mild form, and in 1 very active chronic hepatitis with pronounced piele-meal necrosis and bridging necrosis.

Key words: i.v. drug addicts, HCV infection, HBV infection