Detection of HIV-1 DNA in needle/syringes, paraphernalia, and washes from shooting galleries in Miami: a preliminary laboratory report
Article Abstract:
HIV may be found in injection drug paraphernalia apart from needle/syringes, indicating additional risks for HIV transmission in injection drug users (IDUs) that may not be currently addressed in prevention programs. In addition to collecting needle/syringes with visible blood contamination, researchers collected cottons, cookers and washwater from shooting galleries in Miami. Cottons are used for filtering and cookers are used for dissolving drugs. Washwater is used for dissolving drugs and rinsing needle/syringes. Antibodies against HIV were detected in 52% of needle/syringes, 18% of cottons, 14% of cookers, and 6% of washwater samples. DNA from the HIV gag gene was detected in 84% of needles/syringes, 27% of cottons, 46% of cookers, and 38% of washwater samples. HIV env gene DNA was detected in 85%, 36%, 54%, and 67% of the respective paraphernalia. Current needle exchange and bleach cleansing programs may need to be supplemented with educating IDUs about the risks of HIV transmission via other reused paraphernalia.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1996
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Parenteral transmission of HIV among injection drug users: assessing the frequency of multiperson use of needles, syringes, cookers, cotton, and water
Article Abstract:
Any programs to slow or stop transmission of HIV and other blood borne diseases among injection drug users (IDU's) must take into account all aspects of injection and educate IDU's to be aware of them. In interviews with 12,323 active IDU's, 31.9% reported re-using needles and also cotton/cookers/water of other IDU's. Various other percentages reported re-using only others' syringes, or only the cookers/cotton/water. 42% said they never used other IDU's equipment, and 12.6% reported using new syringes each time.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1998
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People and places: behavioral settings and personal network characteristics as correlates of needle sharing
Article Abstract:
Certain social behaviors among intravenous drug addicts are associated with their likelihood of sharing cleaned needles. Sharing used needles is an important risk factor for HIV infection among drug addicts. A survey of 330 intravenous drug addicts found that those with large social networks who injected in a private home tended to clean the needles between uses. Those who injected mostly in public places such as parks, abandoned buildings and cars tended to share dirty needles.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 1077-9450
Year: 1996
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
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