Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus and its relation with hepatitis B virus and HIV.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the extent of transmission of hepatitis C virus in sexual partners of intravenous drug misusers and to examine the relation between the prevalences of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infections in homosexual men and intravenous drug misusers and their sexual partners. DESIGN--Serum samples collected between 1984 and 1988 were tested for hepatitis B virus markers and antibodies against hepatitis C virus by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and for HIV antibody by enzyme immune analysis and western blotting. SETTING--Large referral university hospital with an external AIDS clinic in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, Spain. SUBJECTS--243 Intravenous drug misusers, 143 of their regular heterosexual partners, and 105 homosexual men. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Prevalences of hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and HIV infections. RESULTS--In all, 178 of the 243 (73%) intravenous drug misusers, 16 out of 143 (11%) of their partners, and 17 of the 105 (16%) homosexual men had antibodies against hepatitis C virus. The presence of hepatitis C virus infection was unrelated to sex, age, the presence of HIV or hepatitis B virus infections, or the Centers for Disease Control stage of HIV. In sexual partners of intravenous drug misusers there were strong correlations between the presence of hepatitis C virus infection and that of HIV (p = 0.001) and hepatitis B virus (p = 0.013) infections. CONCLUSIONS--Intravenous drug misusers have a high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, and HIV infections, but the presence of hepatitis C virus infection seems to be unrelated to the presence of the other two viruses. Homosexual men have a high prevalence of HIV and hepatitis B virus infections with a low prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection, the presence of which is not related to that of the other two infections. Conversely, heterosexual partners of intravenous drug misusers have low prevalences of the three virus infections, but the presence of hepatitis C virus infection correlates significantly with the presence of HIV and hepatitis B infections. The rate of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus seems to be low, even in partners of people known to be seropositive for this virus.     

The detection of viral hepatitis markers in HIV-infected patients

The determination of markers of virus hepatitides B, C and D in 63 registered HIV-infected persons was made. The use of Russian and foreign EIA systems permitted the detection of markers of virus hepatitides 30.1% of HIV-infected persons, including 26.3% of children. Markers of hepatitis B virus were found to occur in children and adults with the same frequency. Out of 65 persons registered in the Center, 3 persons (4.6%) were drug addicts; of these, 2 were found to have antibodies to antigens of hepatitis viruses. Such persons constituted 3.8% of the total number of HIV-infected persons. Among 8 newly detected and registered HIV-infected adults, 2 were found to have antibodies to hepatitis B virus (of these, 1 used drugs intravenously).     

The clean syringe and HIV infection. A clean syringe can be obtained by any drug addict in a bus stationed in places of active drug trading

The results of the work on the Program "Bus" supported by the Charitable Fund "Vozvrashchenie" and the French organization Doctors of the World [correction of Word] are presented. The Program "Bus", in contrast to a number of other programs aimed at the "decrease of harm", extended the project by providing the possibility of organizing, within this program, contacts between specialists and drug addicts, as well as the possibility of carrying out diagnostic procedures. As revealed in the process of the work, a half of those who applied to the "Bus" for help sought advice, psychological support, etc. 70% of the drug addicts asking for clean syringes had never applied for help. Among 900 persons who underwent testing, 90% were found to have markers of hepatitis C virus and 76%, markers of hepatitis B virus. Among those drug addicts who applied to the "Bus" for help 11% were found to have syphilis and 1 person proved to be HIV-infected. The results of the work on this project are indicative of the expediency of using such programs in other regions.     

Seroepidemiological characterization of virus hepatitis in the Republic of Armenia

The survey of the population immunological structure with respect to parenteral hepatitis showed awide circulation of hepatitis B (HB) and hepatitis C (HC) viruses among the adult population of Armenia. During the 5 year period of observation the number of persons having antibodies to HC virus increased 2.7-fold. High occurrence of antibodies to HBsAg of HB virus among the healthy population in 2002 (12.0%) in comparison with 1997 (5.4%) reflected a decreased infection rate with HB virus as well. Antibodies to hepatitis A (HA) virus were isolated, on the average, in 64 % of persons. Simultaneously with a decrease in the proportion of HA cases an increased number of HC patients was registered. No circulation of hepatitis E virus was detected. A high percentage of hepatitis cases of mixed etiology was established, as well as an increased number of combined parenteral hepatitis cases was registered (57.1%).     

Prevalence and determinants of antibodies to hepatitis C virus and markers for hepatitis B virus infection in patients with HIV infection in Aquitaine. Groupe d'Epidémiologie Clinique du SIDA en Aquitaine.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus and serological markers for hepatitis B virus infection in patients with HIV. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey. SETTING: Aquitaine, southwestern France, 1991-94. SUBJECTS: 1935 HIV positive patients seen at least once since June 1991. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus were detected by second or third generation enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) and markers for hepatitis B virus detected by ELISA. RESULTS: The prevalence was 42.5% (823) for antibodies to hepatitis C virus, 56.4 (507) for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen, 6.9% (133) for hepatitis B surface antigen, 30.2% (584) for antibodies to hepatitis B core and surface antigen with no detectable surface antigen, 26.2% (507) for antibodies to core antigen only, and 4.8% (92) for antibodies to surface antigen only. The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus was 86.1% (726/843) in subjects who had bloodborne HIV infection and 7.3% (66/899) in those with sexually acquired infection. The prevalence of markers for hepatitis B was higher among homosexuals than in the other groups of patients, except for antibodies to surface antigen alone. The relation between markers for hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus was negative among men but positive among women. CONCLUSIONS: The results favour the hypothesis that hepatitis C virus is sexually transmitted much less commonly than either HIV or hepatitis B virus.     

The verification of the results of screening antibodies to hepatitis C virus in blood donors

6,744 persons were examined for the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) before blood donation (4,219 persons in Moscow and 2,525 persons in St. Petersburg). The serum samples found to contain antibodies to HCV were additionally studied by the immunoblot techniques. The positive results of antibody screening were registered in 78 persons: 26 persons in Moscow (0.62%) and 52 in St. Petersburg (2.05%). In both cities the positive results of screening were confirmed in 62% of cases. Different occurrence of the profile with the presence of antibodies to all fragments of the virus: 52% in Moscow, 12% in St. Petersburg (chi2 = 12.11; p < 0.001). Considerable differences were also registered in the spread of individual antibodies.     

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in alcoholics

To verify the prevalence of infection by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in alcoholics we studied 131 alcoholic patients (119 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 44.3 +/- 10.8 years. Serum samples were collected from this group and analysed, by ELISA, for antibodies against HIV as well as for serological markers for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). As we have previously described, we found a high prevalence of HBV (26.4%) and HCV (4.2%) markers as compared to the prevalence of these markers in samples of normal blood donors from Uberlandia's Hemocentro Regional, which are 4% and 0.4%, respectively. Of the 131 patients, four (3%) had antibodies against HIV, three (75%) of which were injecting drug users (IDU). In the HIV-negative group, only one patient was an IDU. The prevalence of HIV in our population, according to data from the city's Health Secretary, varies from 3.1% to 6.2%. We conclude that, at least for the moment, alcoholism per se, did not constitute an important risk factor for HIV infection. However, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a rather recent disease as compared to hepatitis B and C and, as the transmission routes are similar for HIV and hepatitis viruses, an increase in the incidence of HIV infection in alcoholics may be just a question of time.     

Viral hepatitis in different population groups of Republic of Sakha (Iakutia)

A survey for the presence of markers of viral hepatitis B, delta, C and E among different groups of the population of the arctic and agricultural zones of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), as well as in Yakutsk, was carried out. The survey revealed that viral hepatitides with the parenteral mechanism of the transmission of infective agents were widely spread among the population. In the arctic zone HBsAg was detected in persons aged 20 years and older in 10.8-17.1% of cases. On the average, in the arctic zone antibodies to virus delta were detected in 2.4% of cases. In different regions of the agricultural zone the detection rate of HBsAg was also high (10.4-23.8%). In the Namsk and Vilyui regions delta infection was registered among adolescents (15-19 years of age) in 8.7 and 22.4% of cases respectively. In the Mountainous region anti-delta antibodies were detected among persons aged 20 years and older in 31% of cases. The survey showed the presence of considerable differences in the detection rate of the markers of hepatitis B, depending on the ethnic origin of the examined patients. Similar tendencies were found to exist with respect to delta infection.     

Soluble HLA class I and HLA class II antigens in the blood of HIV infected patients

The levels of HLA, class I, antigen and HLA-DR antigen in the blood sera of HIV-infected persons were determined by the enzyme immunoassay. The levels of soluble antigens HLR-DR and of HLA, class I, in serum samples containing only antibodies to HIV were elevated, respectively, 1.8- and 1.3-fold in comparison with the norm. The level of soluble HLA-DR antigen in samples containing the markers of other infections (HBsAg, antibodies to hepatitis C virus, anti-IgM antibodies to cytomegalovirus) was significantly higher in comparison with samples containing only antibodies to HIV and serum samples from healthy donors (p < 0.05). The concentration of soluble HLA antigen, class I, in the samples containing antibodies to HIV and markers of other infections was also elevated, but the statistically authentic increase in comparison with the normal level was observed only in the presence of the markers of HIV infection, hepatitis C and cytomegalovirus infection.     

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in HIV-infected individuals in comparison with the general population across Punjab province,Pakistan

The status of vitamin D in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), particularly in naïve as well as treated patients, has never been reported in the Pakistani population. A cross-sectional study was performed to measure vitamin D in individuals infected with HIV living in various districts of the Punjab, Pakistan. 1000 persons attending various treatment centers of the Punjab were screened for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Syphilis. Total 398 patients met inclusion criteria and vitamin D level was measured in respective cases by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. 232 samples from the healthy population were also included in present research. Demographic history and clinical parameters regarding HIV disease were evaluated. Comparison of variables was done to find out the link between vitamin D levels and characteristics of HIV infected persons and comparison to that of healthy individuals was performed. Among 398 HIV patients vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was found among 15 % and 39 % while majority of the control participants had sufficient levels of vitamin D (78 %). Most of the HIV infected individuals were males (68.6 %) and had age between 24 and 47 years (67.8 %). A significant relationship was found for vitamin D level, lifestyle and CD4 count among HIV + ve non acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) subjects (95 % CI; p < 0.001, p = 0.09). For HIV + ve AIDS patients vitamin D had a significant relationship with lifestyle along with HIV viral load and CD4 count. Hypovitaminosis D prevails among the HIV infected population of Punjab, Pakistan.     

Prevalence of GB virus C/hepatitis G virus in Hungary

In 1995 a new flavivirus, GB virus C/hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV), was discovered. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the virus in healthy persons and hepatitis patients in Hungary. The sera of 408 healthy persons older than 60 years were tested for the presence of GBV-C/HGV antibodies, and 113 were positive (28%). Eight of the 71 healthy persons younger than 60 years and twenty of the 51 sera (39%) taken from patients suffering from hepatitis of unknown origin proved to be positive for GBV-C/HGV antibodies. Ten of the 124 sera (8%) of healthy persons and 36 of the 247 sera (14.6%) of hepatitis patients proved to be positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA. Eleven PCR products were sequenced, and the sequences were found to be different from each other and from the previously published ones. However, three sequences taken from the same patient at different times were identical. These results show that GBV-C/HGV is present in Hungary and cannot be considered rare.     

Spread of bloodborne viruses among Australian prison entrants.

OBJECTIVES--To assess spread of bloodborne viruses among prison entrants in Victoria, Australia. DESIGN--Voluntary confidential testing of all prison entrants for markers of exposure to bloodborne viruses with collection of minimal data on demography and risk factors over 12 months. SETTING--Her Majesty''s Prisons, Pentridge and Fairlea, Victoria, Australia. SUBJECTS--3429 male and 198 female prison entrants (> 99% of all prison entrants); 344 entered prison and were tested more than once. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Prevalence and incidence of antibodies to HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses, and minimal data on risk factors. RESULTS--1562 (46%) gave a history of use of injected drugs, 1171 (33%) had antibody to hepatitis B core antigen, 1418 (39%) were anti-hepatitis C positive including 914 (64%) of the men who injected drugs, 91 (2.5%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, and 17 (0.47%) were positive for antibody to HIV. Incidence rates for infection with hepatitis B and C virus were 12.6 and 18.3 per 100 person years, respectively; in men who injected drugs and were aged less than 30 years (29% of all prison entrants) these were 21 and 41 per 100 person years. Seroconversion to hepatitis B or C was associated with young age and shorter stay in prison. Only 5% of those who were not immune to hepatitis B reported hepatitis B immunisation. CONCLUSIONS--Hepatitis B and C are spreading rapidly through some populations of injecting drug users in Victoria, particularly among men aged less than 30 years at risk of imprisonment in whom rates of spread are extreme; this group constitutes a sizeable at risk population for spread of HIV. This spread is occurring in a context of integrated harm reduction measures outside prisons for prevention of viral spread but few programmes within or on transition from prisons; it poses an urgent challenge to these programmes.     

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus: cohort study (1981-9) among European homosexual men.

OBJECTIVE--To determine the prevalence, incidence, and persistence of positivity for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and the potential for sexual transmission of the virus. DESIGN--A cohort analysis covering 1981-9 comparing estimated cumulative incidences of and seroconversion rates for anti-HCV with those of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (anti-HIV). SETTING--Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark. SUBJECTS--259 Male members of a Danish homosexual organisation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Correlations of prevalence and incidence with a wide range of sexual lifestyle variables. RESULTS--Only four (1.6%) subjects were positive for anti-HCV in 1981. The estimated cumulative incidence of positivity for anti-HCV was 4.1% in 1984 (seroconversion rate during 1981-4 (2.5%)) and remained at 4.1% in 1989 (seroconversion rate nil during 1984-9). In contrast, positivity for anti-HBC rose from 44.0% in 1981 to 52.7% in 1984 (seroconversion rate 15.5%) and 58.8% in 1989 (seroconversion rate 12.9%), and that for anti-HIV rose from 8.8% to 24.0% (seroconversion rate 16.7%) and 30.1% (seroconversion rate 8.0%) respectively. Three anti-HCV positive patients seroreverted three to five years later. None of the anti-HCV positive subjects had had a transfusion and only one gave a past history of intravenous drug use. Variables in sexual lifestyle correlated with the presence of anti-HBc but not with that of anti-HCV. CONCLUSIONS--In contrast with hepatitis B virus and HIV, sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus seems to be a rare event. Furthermore, antibodies to the virus may become undetectable after several years.     

The epidemiological aspects of viral hepatitides in Estonia]

The etiological structure of viral hepatitides among the adult population of Tallinn and the occurrence of markers of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in medical workers, addict introducing drugs intravenously and hemodialysis patients were studied. Changes in the etiological structure of viral hepatitides were established: they took the form of a decrease in the level of hepatitis A morbidity and the considerable growth of the role of hepatitides B and C, as well as the newly detected circulation hepatitis D virus. About one-third in the structure of morbidity in viral hepatitides were hepatitis cases without markers of hepatitis A, B or C viruses (non-A, non-B, non-C). The highest rates of hepatitis B virus infection (78.9%) and hepatitis C virus infection (82.5%) were detected among drug addicts. Their level of HBsAg was 8.8%. In the group of medical workers, 25% of the examinees, i.e. every fourth person, had markers of hepatitis B virus, while antibodies to hepatitis C virus were detected in 5% of cases. Among hemodialysis patients these rates were 21.4% and 10.7% respectively.     

Voluntary anonymous linked study of the prevalence of HIV infection and hepatitis C among inmates in a Canadian federal penitentiary for women.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of HIV infection and hepatitis C among inmates of a federal penitentiary for women. DESIGN: Voluntary, anonymous, linked, point-prevalence study involving testing of blood samples for antibodies to HIV and hepatitis C virus. PARTICIPANTS: All inmates of the multilevel security federal Prison for Women, Kingston, Ont., who volunteered to participate in the study. Inmates at this long-stay facility are from across Canada. OUTCOME MEASURE: Seroprevalence rate among participants of antibodies to HIV and hepatitis C virus. RESULTS: Of the 130 inmates available for study 113 (86.9%) agreed to donate a blood sample. One woman (0.9%) was HIV positive; 45 (39.8%) were positive for hepatitis C antibody. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to obtain a high participation rate in a voluntary, anonymous, linked point-prevalence study in a long-stay penitentiary. The HIV seroprevalence rate of 0.9% is lower than that found in studies in provincial (short-stay) prisons. However, the high rate of antibodies to hepatitis C suggests a significant level of risk behaviour, most likely injection drug use, and suggests the potential for a rapid increase in the rate of HIV infection should the number of newly admitted HIV-positive inmates who use injection drugs rise.     

Characteristics of the distribution of the markers of hepatitis B vir us infection among the healthy population of the Tadzhik SSR and Azerbaijan SSR

A total of 708 healthy persons in Tajikistan and 576 healthy persons in Azerbaijan, these groups comprising persons of both sexes and different age groups, were examined by the method of double gel immunodiffusion (the gel precipitation test) and by the passive hemagglutination test for the presence of the markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (HBsAg and HBeAg) and antibodies to them. This investigation showed that, in accordance with the level of hepatitis B morbidity, HBsAg was significantly more often detected among the population in Tajikistan (7.2%) than in Azerbaijan (2.8%). In both republics HBV carriers occurred most frequently among children aged 1-4 years (4.0% in Azerbaijan and 13.9% in Tajikistan), and among men more frequently than among women. In accordance with different intensity of the spread of HBV infection in the territories under comparison, differences in the age structure of the immune population were noted: in Tajikistan the formation of the immune layer occurred most frequently among younger age groups and in Azerbaijan, among senior adult age groups. The presence of a considerable percentage of persons with HBe-antigenemia (14.3-14.9% as determined by the gel precipitation test) among HBV carriers, observed in Tajikistan and in Azerbaijan, indicates that some of them have undetected chronic hepatitis B.     

High Prevalence of HIV-1 CRF01_AE Viruses among Female Commercial Sex Workers Residing in Surabaya,Indonesia

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cause serious health problems and have an impact on the Indonesian economy. In addition, the rapid epidemic growth of HIV is continuing in Indonesia. Commercial sex plays a significant role in the spread of HIV; therefore, in order to reveal the current HIV prevalence rate among commercial sex workers (CSWs), we conducted an epidemiological study on HIV infection among CSWs residing in Surabaya, the capital of East Java province of Indonesia with large communities of CSWs.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The prevalence of HIV infection among 200 CSWs was studied. In addition, the subtype of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) and the prevalence of other blood-borne viruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and GB virus C (GBV-C), were studied. The prevalence rates of HIV, hepatitis B core antibody, hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-HCV antibodies and anti-GBV-C antibodies were 11%, 64%, 4%, 0.5% and 0% among CSWs involved in this study, respectively. HIV-1 CRF01_AE viral gene fragments were detected in most HIV-positive samples. In addition, most CSWs showed low awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and had unprotected sex with their clients.

Conclusions/Significance

The HIV prevalence rate among CSWs was significantly higher than that among the general population in Indonesia (0.2–0.4%). In addition, CSWs were at a high risk of exposure to HBV, although chronic HBV infection was less frequently established. Our results suggest the necessity of efficient prevention programs for HIV and other blood-borne viral infections among CSWs in Surabaya, Indonesia.     

Prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus infection among inmates entering the California correctional system

To estimate the prevalence and predictors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among inmates, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 1994 among inmates entering six reception centers of the California Department of Corrections. Discarded serum samples were tested for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HCV, hepatitis B core, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Of 4,513 inmates in this study, 87.0% were men and 13.0% were women. Among male inmates, 39.4% were anti-HCV-positive; by race/ethnicity, prevalences were highest among whites (49.1%). Among female inmates, 53.5% were anti-HCV-positive; the prevalence was highest among Latinas (69.7%). In addition, rates for HIV were 2.5% for men and 3.1% for women; and for HBsAg, 2.2% (men) and 1.2% (women). These data indicate that HCV infection is common among both men and women entering prison. The high seroprevalence of anti-HCV-positive inmates may reflect an increased prevalence of high-risk behaviors and should be of concern to the communities to which these inmates will be released.     

Evidence for hepatitis C viral infection in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

In testing for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in 112 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma, 10 of 33 white patients (30%) and 15 of 79 Asian patients (19%) had a positive response to the antibody. The antibody profile to individual hepatitis C viral antigens and the presence of circulating hepatitis C viral RNA were determined in the 25 patients. The anti-HCV antibodies most frequently detected were toward the antigens from the core (C22) and NS3 regions. Serum hepatitis C viral RNA was present in 17 of the 25 patients (68%), and these patients tended to have serum levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases higher than those patients without viremia (136 +/- 22 U per liter versus 64 +/- 11 U per liter and 161 +/- 26 U per liter versus 79 +/- 14 U per liter, respectively, both P < .05). Of the 15 Asian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and anti-HCV, 4 (27%) had coexisting hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 13 (87%) had antibodies to either hepatitis B core or surface antigen. Of the 10 white patients with anti-HCV, however, only 1 (10%) had hepatitis B virus antibodies (P < .01). Among 4 Asian patients with coexisting anti-HCV and HBsAg, 1 was found to have serum hepatitis B viral DNA and the other 3 had hepatitis C viral RNA. A history of blood transfusion was obtained from 12 of the 25 patients with anti-HCV (48%); 20 (80%) had coexisting cirrhosis. Our findings support the hypothesis that hepatitis C virus is an important etiologic agent in the development of primary hepatocellular carcinoma in both white and Asian patients in the United States.     

Prevalence of infection with HIV,hepatitis B and C viruses,in four high risk groups in Eritrea

Background: Little is known about the prevalence of infections in different population groups in Africa, and about the influence of living conditions on the spread of infections. This study is the first of its kind in the state of Eritrea and is expected to serve as an evaluation of the situation in the country.Objective: A serosurvey for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) was carried out during the summer of 1995 in Massawa, a small sea port in Eritrea (East Africa) in four groups considered to be at risk for these infections.Study design: The study subjects were former Guerrilla Fighters, Female Sex Workers, Truck Drivers, and Port Workers. Participants from a tribe called Rashaida were believed to be at low risk, and thus served as a control.Results: The Female Sex Workers had the highest incidence of HIV-1 infection, 29%, compared to 10% for Port Workers, and 3% for Guerrilla Fighters. On the other hand presence of HBsAg, indicating a high prevalence of hepatitis B carrier status, was highest in the Guerrilla Fighters, followed by the Rashaidas, and lowest in the Female Sex Workers. The Female Sex Workers were further tested for antibodies against HBV and the results revealed that 53% of them, 5%, had antibodies against HBcoreAg. Excluding the possibility of an acute infection at sampling time, three of them became HBsAg carriers. Surprisingly, our group of Truck Drivers did not show HIV-1 infection, and no HIV-2 infections were seen in the whole cohort.Conclusion: The study shows that the described groups have different prevalences of infection with HIV, hepatitis B and C which can partly be explained by their living conditions.