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Background <p>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious global public health issue, especially for intravenous drug users (IVDUs), who are more vulnerable because of risky behaviours, including sharing needles. This study sought to determine the prevalence of HIV and HCV infections, explore the relationship between liver enzyme levels and HCV viral load, and analyze sociodemographic characteristics among drug users in Jorhat, Assam, India.</p> Methods <p>A total of 461 participants were enrolled, comprising 108 IVDUs and 353 non-IVDUs. For HCV screening, rapid test kits and ELISA were used. RT-PCR was performed to measure the HCV RNA viral load, and AST and ALT levels of the liver enzymes were assessed. Data were evaluated using chi-squared tests.</p> Results <p>In comparison to non-IVDUs, IVDUs were substantially younger, more likely to be unmarried, unemployed, and less educated. HCV positivity rate was highest in the 21–30-year age group for both IVDUs (83.8%) and non-IVDUs (97.2%). Compared to non-IVDUs (25.49%), IVDUs exhibited noticeably greater HCV viral loads (&gt; 1001 IU/mL in 59.25%). Co-infection between HIV and HCV was found in 25.9% of IVDUs. Elevated liver enzymes were noted among IVDUs (ALT: 107.44 ± 114.30 IU/mL; AST: 94.60 ± 97.50 IU/mL), which is indicative of hepatic damage.</p> Conclusion <p>This study emphasizes that IVDUs have a high prevalence of HCV and HIV co-infections, increased viremia, and abnormal liver enzymes. For high-risk populations, targeted public health interventions such as integrated treatment services, early identification, and harm-reduction tactics are essential to halting transmission and improving results.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>

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Hepatitis C and HIV co-infection, viral load, and liver enzyme profiles among intravenous and non-intravenous drug users in Jorhat, Assam: a comparative analysis

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月9日

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  • Pinkee Phukon,
  • Barbi Gogoi,
  • Angshurekha Das,
  • Sima Kumari Dutta,
  • Purnima Barua

摘要

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a serious global public health issue, especially for intravenous drug users (IVDUs), who are more vulnerable because of risky behaviours, including sharing needles. This study sought to determine the prevalence of HIV and HCV infections, explore the relationship between liver enzyme levels and HCV viral load, and analyze sociodemographic characteristics among drug users in Jorhat, Assam, India.

Methods

A total of 461 participants were enrolled, comprising 108 IVDUs and 353 non-IVDUs. For HCV screening, rapid test kits and ELISA were used. RT-PCR was performed to measure the HCV RNA viral load, and AST and ALT levels of the liver enzymes were assessed. Data were evaluated using chi-squared tests.

Results

In comparison to non-IVDUs, IVDUs were substantially younger, more likely to be unmarried, unemployed, and less educated. HCV positivity rate was highest in the 21–30-year age group for both IVDUs (83.8%) and non-IVDUs (97.2%). Compared to non-IVDUs (25.49%), IVDUs exhibited noticeably greater HCV viral loads (> 1001 IU/mL in 59.25%). Co-infection between HIV and HCV was found in 25.9% of IVDUs. Elevated liver enzymes were noted among IVDUs (ALT: 107.44 ± 114.30 IU/mL; AST: 94.60 ± 97.50 IU/mL), which is indicative of hepatic damage.

Conclusion

This study emphasizes that IVDUs have a high prevalence of HCV and HIV co-infections, increased viremia, and abnormal liver enzymes. For high-risk populations, targeted public health interventions such as integrated treatment services, early identification, and harm-reduction tactics are essential to halting transmission and improving results.

Clinical trial number

Not applicable.