High incidence of hepatitis C virus reinfection in a cohort of injecting drug users.

Unlabelled: An estimated 170 million people worldwide carry the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and in more developed countries the prevalence and incidence of HCV is particularly high among injecting drug users (IDUs). Spontaneous clearance of HCV infection and reinfection is well recognized but the level of protection against further infection conferred by HCV infection and clearance remains uncertain. We conducted a prospective study of HCV infection in IDUs recruited in Melbourne, Australia, using a much shorter median testing interval than in previous studies.

Consecutive infections and clearances of different hepatitis C virus genotypes in an injecting drug user.

Background: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, and is highly prevalent among injecting drug users (IDUs). Whether initial HCV infection and clearance provides protection from reinfection has not been established, but is an important question for vaccine development.

Objective: To elucidate an unusual history of HCV infection and clearance in an IDU.