Document 3065
 DOCN  M94A3065
 TI    ALT as a marker for hepatitis B and C in drug users.
 DT    9412
 AU    Brooks K; Orr S; Fenaughty A; Fisher D; Center for Alcohol & Addiction
       Studies, University of Alaska,; Anchorage.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):161 (abstract no. PB0072). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94369510
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of alanine transaminase (ALT) as a
       surrogate marker for detecting hepatitis C and hepatitis B in the sera
       of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and crack cocaine smokers. METHOD:
       Data were collected from the Risk Behavior Assessment (RBA), a
       structured interview, which was administered to subjects who tested
       positive by the ONTRAK (Roche Diagnostics Systems) urine test for
       cocaine, amphetamines, or opiates and/or had track marks. In addition,
       subjects must not have been in drug treatment during the prior 30 days.
       Sera were collected from 125 subjects and tested for ALT by an enzymatic
       kinetic method. RESULTS: Regression analysis results indicated that
       individuals who had injected drugs within the last 30 days had
       significantly higher ALT levels than those who did not inject. Other
       variables, such as if the subject was homeless or if they had ever been
       in a drug treatment program, were marginally significant. Subjects who
       were negative for antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc)
       had a mean ALT of 35 units/liter (u/l) versus 58 u/l for subjects
       positive for anti-HBc. Subjects negative for antibodies to hepatitis C
       virus (anti-HCV) had a mean ALT of 58u/l versus 67 u/l for subjects
       positive for anti-HCV. CONCLUSIONS: ALT has long been used as a
       surrogate test for hepatitis. This study suggests that it is a useful
       marker especially when used with predictors for detecting positivity of
       HCV and HBV.
 DE    Alanine Aminotransferase/*BLOOD  Biological Markers  Hepatitis
       B/*DIAGNOSIS/ENZYMOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Hepatitis
       C/*DIAGNOSIS/ENZYMOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Human  Risk Factors  Substance
       Abuse, Intravenous/COMPLICATIONS/*ENZYMOLOGY  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).