High rates of serum selenium deficiency among HIV- and HCV-infected and uninfected drug users in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Objective: To describe the prevalence of low serum Se and determine whether HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or the types of drugs used are associated with serum Se in a cohort of infected and uninfected drug users. Design: Independent correlates of low serum Se levels based on data collected from food recalls, physical examinations and clinical questionnaires were identified using multivariate regression analysis. Setting: Buenos Aires, Argentina Subjects: A total of 205 (twenty-five female and 180 male) former and current drug users. Results: Drug users had an average serum Se level of 69.8 (SD 32.8) mu g/dl, and 82% were considered deficient (<85 mu g/dl). Multivariate analyses found that HIV- and/or HCV-infected individuals had lower mean Se compared with healthy, uninfected drug users (HIV/HCV co-infection: -25.3 mu g/l (SE 7.6), P=0.001; HIV alone: -28.9 mu g/l (SE 6.9), P<0.001; HCV alone: -19.4 mu g/l (SE 7.1), P=0.006). Current and previous drug use was associated with higher serum Se. Cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were not found to be associated with Se status. Conclusions: Low serum Se levels are highly prevalent among drug users in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se supplementation and/or dietary interventions may be warranted in drug users who are at high risk for HIV and/or HCV infection.