Document 0122
 DOCN  M9460122
 TI    HIV surveillance by testing saliva from injecting drug users: a national
       study in New Zealand.
 DT    9404
 AU    Dickson NP; Austin FJ; Paul C; Sharples KJ; Skegg DC; AIDS Epidemiology
       Group, University of Otago Medical School,; Dunedin, New Zealand.
 SO    J Epidemiol Community Health. 1994 Feb;48(1):55-7. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/94186778
 AB    OBJECTIVE--To determine whether the prevalence of HIV infection among
       injecting drug users in New Zealand has remained low since the
       introduction of a needle and syringe exchange scheme in May 1988.
       DESIGN--Anonymous survey of intravenous drug users attending outlets of
       the exchange scheme, based on questionnaires and saliva testing.
       SETTING--Twelve pharmacies and community outreach organisation in six
       cities. SUBJECTS--Altogether 620 people provided saliva specimens and
       completed questionnaires. These represented 73% of those who visited
       exchange scheme outlets during a three month period in 1992. MAIN
       OUTCOME MEASURE--Saliva was tested for antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2
       using an IgG-capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (GACELISA).
       RESULTS--Of 591 specimens eligible for inclusion, only three (0.5%) were
       repeatedly reactive in the GACELISA test, while two of these were also
       positive in a Western blot test. CONCLUSIONS--Although surveys show that
       sharing of needles and syringes was common in New Zealand until
       recently, the prevalence of HIV infection in intravenous drug users has
       remained low. This can probably be attributed to the success of
       educational campaigns and legislative action to allow a needle and
       syringe exchange scheme to be set up.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Age Factors  Female  Human  HIV Antibodies/ANALYSIS
       HIV Infections/COMPLICATIONS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  Male  Middle
       Age  *Needle Sharing  New Zealand/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Prevalence
       Saliva/IMMUNOLOGY  Sex Factors  Substance Abuse,
       Intravenous/*COMPLICATIONS  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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