It is well established that hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be transmitted through sharing needles, cookers, and other equipment for drug injection. Studies have also shown that non-injection drug-use practices may spread the virus, such as sharing straws or bills to snort cocaine.

Now, a study reported in the January 2008 European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology offers evidence that crack pipes may transmit HCV.

Canadian researchers conducted an exploratory study to try to detect HCV on crack-use paraphernalia. Equipment was collected from 51 street crack users within 60 minutes after use. Participants also provided saliva samples to test for HCV antibodies and had digital photographs taken of their mouths to assess the presence of oral sores.

Results

Conclusion

In conclusion, the investigators wrote, "HCV transmission from an infected host onto paraphernalia as a precondition of HCV host-to-host transmission via shared crack paraphernalia use seems possible, with oral sores and paraphernalia condition constituting possible risk modifiers."

According to lead author Benedikt Fischer of the University of Victoria Center for Addictions Research, the findings imply that "in order to prevent the spread of hepatitis C in the high-risk population of street drug users, you need to not only focus on injection drug users but also on crack smokers."

Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, Victoria, Canada; Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Institute for Public Health and Addiction Research, Zürich, Switzerland.

1/29/08

Reference
B Fischer, J Powis, MF Cruz, and others. Hepatitis C virus transmission among oral crack users: viral detection on crack paraphernalia. European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology 20(1): 29-32. January 2008.