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Review
. 2009 Jul;4(4):308-13.
doi: 10.1097/COH.0b013e32832bbc6f.

HIV among injecting drug users: current epidemiology, biologic markers, respondent-driven sampling, and supervised-injection facilities

Don C Des Jarlais  1 , Kamyar Arasteh, Salaam Semaan, Evan Wood
Affiliations
Review

HIV among injecting drug users: current epidemiology, biologic markers, respondent-driven sampling, and supervised-injection facilities

Don C Des Jarlais et al. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2009 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To describe recent research done primarily during the past 12 months (i.e., primarily in 2008) on the epidemiology of HIV infection among injecting drug users (IDUs).

Recent findings: Major research developments include a global assessment of HIV infection among IDUs and evidence of a transition from epidemics concentrated among IDUs to generalized, heterosexual epidemics in eastern Europe and Asia. Intervention research also includes several studies of supervised-injecting facilities. Methodological research includes respondent-driven sampling and the use of hepatitis C virus and herpes simplex virus-2 as biomarkers for injecting and sexual risk.

Summary: There have been important advances in research during the past year, but HIV infection continues to spread rapidly across many areas of the world among IDUs and their nondrug-using sex partners.

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References

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