Abstract

We set out to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses among human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals and its impact on pattern of presentation. A serological study for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses was performed on 260 HIV-positive individuals. These patients were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody. Thirty (11.5%) patients tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, six (2.3%) tested positive for anti-hepatitis C virus antibody, four (1.5%) were positive for both hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus and the overall prevalence was 15.4% . Individuals younger than 40 years of age were more affected, and the odds ratio of a female being co-infected was 1.2, 25% versus 75% p value = 0.03. The prevalence of HIV and hepatitis co-infection rises with age except for hepatitis C. There was no significant difference in the mean levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT) among the various groups. The groups differ significantly in their mean CD4 count: it was lowest for those co-infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C; 106 cells/mm(3), 171 cells/mm(3) for those with HIV alone; and the highest value of 260 cells/mm(3) was obtained in those who tested positive for anti-HCV. Scarification marks and multiple blood transfusions were more common among those infected. There was no case of intravenous drug abuse identified. This low frequency of HIV/HCV co-infection is probably due to the uncommon intravenous drug abuse in this population. Co-infection with hepatitis B virus is common among our HIV-infected patients and should be a major consideration in the initiation and choice of therapy.

Highlights

  • We set out to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses among human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals and its impact on pattern of presentation

  • human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection have a negative impact on liver disease caused by these viruses [7,8]

  • Socio-demographic characteristics of study subjects The subjects were divided into two groups: those with HIV alone and those with HIV and hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or both

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Summary

Introduction

We set out to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses among human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals and its impact on pattern of presentation. Methodology: A serological study for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses was performed on 260 HIV-positive individuals These patients were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody. The hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are devastating viruses that share certain epidemiological characteristics such as risk populations and transmission routes. This puts HIV positive individuals at risk of co-infection with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C viruses, or both. HCV and HBV infections increase the toxicity to antiretroviral medications [7]

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