HIV-1 Infection Among Intravenous Drug Users in Manhattan, New York City, From 1977 Through 1987

Don C. Des Jarlais, Samuel R. Friedman, David M. Novick, J. L. Sotheran, Pauline Thomas, Stanley R. Yancovitz, Donna Mildvan, John Weber, Mary Jeanne Kreek, Robert Maslansky, Sarah Bartelme, Thomas Spira, Michael Marmor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Intravenous drug users are the second largest group to develop the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and they are the primary source for heterosexual and perinatal transmission in the United States and Europe. Understanding long-term trends in the spread of human immunodeficiency virus among intravenous drug users is critical to controlling the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome surveillance data and seroprevalence studies of drug treatment program entrants are used to trace seroprevalence trends among intravenous drug users in the borough of Manhattan. The virus entered this drug-using group during the mid-1970s and spread rapidly in 1979 through 1983. From 1984 through 1987, the seroprevalence rate stabilized between 55% and 60%—well below hepatitis B seroprevalence rates. This relatively constant rate is attributed to new infections, new seronegative persons beginning drug injection, seropositive persons leaving drug injection, and increasing conscious risk reduction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1008-1012
Number of pages5
JournalJAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association
Volume261
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 17 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'HIV-1 Infection Among Intravenous Drug Users in Manhattan, New York City, From 1977 Through 1987'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this