English

R K

doi:10.5897/jphe12.005

Abstract

A study was conducted between the months of March and August, 2010 to ascertain the rate of mono- and co-infection of three blood-borne viral pathogens namely Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Hepatitis B virus (HCV) among 500 pregnant women aged between 21 and 40, attending antenatal clinic at a tertiary health centre in Owerri. The screening of blood samples from the sample population was carried out using immunochromatographic rapid test kits including HIV1/2 test kit (Hi Tech Diagnostic Limited, Nigeria) and Bio TracerTM HBV and HCV Rapid card test kits (Bio Focus Limited, South Korea). Results revealed that all age groups sampled were positive for HIV, producing a total of 115 (23%) with the age group of 29 to 32 producing the highest infection rate of 32 (6.4%) while the least came from the age groups of 21 to 24 and 37 to 40, with 13 (2.6%) each. The result further revealed that only one case of HBsAg infection was recorded among the sample population within the age group of 37 to 40 with 1 (0.2%). There was no case of HCV recorded among the pregnant women neither was there a co-infection involving HIV and any of the hepatitis viruses. The monthly distribution of the viral pathogens revealed that the highest rate of HIV infection occurred in the month of March with 26 (5.2%), while the least occurred in the month of July with 13 (2.6%). The only HBV infection observed in the sample population was recorded in the month of April while none of the months under review recorded any case of HCV, HIV + HBV, or HIV + HCV coinfections among the studied pregnant women. Though no case of coinfection was recorded in this study, concurrent infection between HIV and the hepatitis viruses is a growing public health concern and enough awareness should be created to check its emergence in this part of Nigeria while the campaign against HIV monoinfection should be intensified to check its spread among the uninfected population.   Key words: Coinfection, pregnant women, monoinfection, Owerri, antenatal, hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Highlights

Improved Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment using the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced mortality of AIDS patients arising from opportunistic infections
The only case of HBsAg observed was recorded in the month of April with 1 (0.2%), while no month recorded any case of Hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV + hepatitis B virus (HBV) or HIV + HCV coinfections
The highest rate of HIV case among these women considered to be in the prime of their reproductive and productive years (Boysen, 2003) is a veritable cause for concern, but confirms earlier findings that HIV/AIDS in Owerri, like in other places in the world (UNAIDS, 2006) and other states in Nigeria (Obi et al, 2007) affects younger people in the prime of their life

Summary

Introduction

Improved HIV treatment using the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has reduced mortality of AIDS patients arising from opportunistic infections. Liver failure occasioned by chronic viral hepatitis has emerged as a continued threat, currently accounting for a high rate of hospitalization and death among people living with HIV/AIDS (De Luca, 2002; Salmon-Ceron et al, 2005). While the effect of these hepatitis viruses on HIV disease progression has remained controversial, studies have revealed that the viruses may increase the rate of progression to AIDS and AID-related death, impair immune reconstitution, elevate the risk of hepatotoxicity from HAART therapy and lower overall level of CD4 count (CDC, 2001), all symptoms which have been observed to account for a reduced rate of survival for coinfected patients than for those with HIV monoinfection (Agwale et al, 2004). HIV infection may lead to more aggressive HBV or HCV infection and much more rapid progression to cirrhosis and end stage liver disease (De Luca, 2002; Clifford, 2008)

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