DUBLIN, Ireland – October 2015. In February 2015, the Department of Public Health (DPH), Health Service Executive (HSE) in Dublin identified an unexpected increase in cases of acute HIV infection among people who inject drugs (PWID). This increase was associated with the injection of the synthetic cathinone alpha-PVP by so called chaotic PWID. Chaotic PWID were defined by clinicians as heroin injectors who were homeless , and if on opioid substitution treatment, required daily attendance at their treatment programme, due to continued use of a variety of other illicit substances in an intensive or chaotic way.

The National Drug Treatment Centre (Dublin) conducted a case-control study among chaotic PWID, residing in Dublin and diagnosed with HIV since July 2014, that had been injecting within the previous 12 months. From 38 confirmed and probable cases of HIV infection, 29 persons were homeless and 20 of them provided information on their drug use with 18 reporting to have injected alpha-PVP. The comparison of the case group and the control group showed that the likelihood of recent HIV infection was highest among those who were injecting alpha-PVP daily. As opposed to the control group, individuals in the case group were more likely to have used various drugs including amphetamines and benzodiazepines - in the past 12 months, reused needles and syringes and had sex with PWID partners.

 
Source: UNAIDS

For further information please see:
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=21274