The UFO Study
UFO's phone number: 1-888-829-6884 (1-888-UC-YOUTH)
The UFO project, which began in September of 1997 in San Francisco, is the name for multiple studies that measure the seroprevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in injection drug users (IDUs) under the age of thirty. Younger IDU have higher needle sharing and sexual risk behaviors and higher incidence rates of HIV, HBV and HCV infection than older injectors. UFO evaluates how risk factors and needle exchange use are associated with these infections and also examines the experience of overdose among young injection drug users.
In addition to HIV and hepatitis pre and post-test counseling, UFO provides hepatitis B and hepatitis A vaccinations to study participants in an effort to determine how best to deliver these vaccines to young injectors. Follow-up, tracking, community-based outreach and peer counseling are integral parts to this multi-disciplinary harm reduction project. Please see the current services UFO offers in San Francisco.
The UFO Study 1997-1999
The first UFO Study was a cross sectional study conducted over the period 10/97 – 11/99. The aims of that study were to assess prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. We established high seroprevalence of HCV among young IDU. In addition we published on HIV prevalence and risk factors, high overdose rate and HBV vaccine adherence. In total 706 individuals participated.
The UFO study 1999--2002
UFO-1 and UFO-2: The first longitudinal UFO study was a 3-year NIDA funded study of HIV and HCV infections (UFO-1) and HBV immunization schedules (UFO-2). We established high rate of HCV seroconversion (25% ppy) and risk factors for HCV seroconversion, tested adherence to and efficacy of accelerated HBV vaccine schedules in a randomized controlled trial and documented high rates of overdose and risk factors for overdose. We also established the utility of using nucleic acid amplification testing for the early identification of HCV infections.
The UFO-3 Study 2002-2004
The UFO-3 study was a NIDA-funded longitudinal study and extends our successful research focused on HCV infection. The primary aims of this two year study were to study incident HCV infection, confirm the utility of NAT testing for identifying acute and serosilent HCV infection, and examine immunological correlates of viral clearance in newly infected young injectors by enrolling them into a sub-study of acute HCV infection (named Acute UFO study). HCV incidence was 25% per 100 person years of observation. As of August 2004, we enrolled 19 persons acutely infected with HCV in the longitudinal study. The median number of return visits has been four. Incidence of HCV infection remains high at an annualized rate of 25% per year.
Acute UFO Study
We have enrolled 163 HCV antibody (anti-HCV) negative young IDU in a longitudinal study (UFO-3 Study) and identified 22 incident HCV infections, 19 of whom are being followed prospectively. Using transcription mediated amplification (TMA) testing we successfully detect acute HCV infection (10 of 22 new infections) during the seronegative window period. HCV incidence is estimated at 27.8% to 40.7% per year. One of seven (14%) new genotype 1 HCV infections with completed RNA tests six months apart has spontaneously resolved infection and liver function tests (LFT) as measured by liver transaminase (ALT) levels are normal. Two of eight (25%) genotype 3 infections appear to be resolving. Preliminary immunological analyses have shown broad HCV-specific T cell responses in resolvers.
UFO-VAX
A Randomized trial of vaccine adherence in Young IDU. This trial will examine strategies to deliver a promising preventive HIV vaccine candidate- employing hepatitis B vaccine as a surrogate to a cohort of high-risk young injection drug users (IDU) and young male IDU that have sex with men (MSM-IDU).
ORBIT
This study tests the feasibility of following young IDUs who travel, using ATM cards for instant incentives and online interviewing systems for follow up interviews. We are also determining young IDUs’ rate of accessing services “on the road” for future research that might include collecting biological samples or delivering immunizations in this mobile group. This approach if successful, could be used to increase the ability to test the effectiveness of interventions to prevent HIV, HBV, HCV in this crucial at-risk population.
Research findings
Please see the peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations on the UFO Study. (Updated June 2005)