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. 2010 Oct;37(10):637-43.
doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3181e1a64a.

Gender and age patterns in HSV-2 and HIV infection among non-injecting drug users in New York City

Don C Des Jarlais  1 , Kamyar Arasteh, Courtney McKnight, David Perlman, Holly Hagan, Salaam Semaan, Samuel R Friedman
Affiliations

Gender and age patterns in HSV-2 and HIV infection among non-injecting drug users in New York City

Don C Des Jarlais et al. Sex Transm Dis. 2010 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: To examine prevalence of and associations between herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection and HIV infection among never-injecting heroin and cocaine drug users (NIDUs) in New York City.

Methods: Subjects were recruited from patients entering the Beth Israel drug detoxification program. Informed consent was obtained, a structured questionnaire including demographics, drug use history, and sexual risk behavior was administered, and a blood sample was collected for HIV and HSV-2 antibody testing.

Results: A total of 1418 subjects who had never (lifetime) injected drugs (NIDUs) were recruited between July 2005 through June 2009. Subjects were primarily male (76%), and black (67%) or Hispanic (25%), reported recent crack cocaine use (74%), and had a mean age of 42 years. Eleven percent of males reported male-with-male sexual (MSM) behavior. The prevalence of both viruses was high: for HSV-2, 61% among the total sample, 50% among non-MSM males, 85% among females, and 72% among MSM; for HIV, 16% among the total sample, 12% among non-MSM males, 20% among females, and 46% among MSM. HSV-2 was associated with HIV (OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 2.3-4.5; PR = 2.7, 95% CI: 2.0-3.7). Analyses by gender and age groups indicated different patterns in mono- and coinfection for the 2 viruses.

Discussion: HSV-2 and HIV rates among these NIDUs are comparable with rates in sub-Saharan Africa. Additional prevention programs, tailored to gender and age groups, are urgently needed. New platforms for providing services to NIDUs are also needed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
HIV and HSV2 prevalence by 10-year age groups among never-injecting drug users, NY, 2004–2007.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A, HIV and HSV2 infections by age among female never-injecting drug users, NY, 2004–2008. B, HIV and HSV2 infections by age among non-MSM male never-injecting drug users, NY, 2004–2008. C, HIV and HSV2 infections by age among MSM never-injecting drug users, NY, 2004–2008.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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