Immunological, Clinical and Epidemiological Aspects of an HIV-1 Positive Drug Abuser Cohort

Abstract

We analyzed a cohort of intravenous drug abusers with HIV-1 disease attending our institute in the years 1985–1993. We focused particular attention on the epidemiological analysis of patients, and their clinical, immunological and infectious conditions. The significance of biological markers, particulary CD4+ lymphocyte count and the occurence of other viral infections such as Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes Simplex virus and Hepatitis B and C viruses in the progress of HIV-1 disease were evaluated. At least two-thirds of the patients at different stages of HIV-1 were treated with antiretroviral drugs: zidovudine (AZT) from 1987 up to the present and more recently didanosine (DDI) alone or in combination with AZT. Psychological and behavioral aspects of our HIV-1 infected drug abusers, in particular needle exchange and condom use, were analyzed.