High prevalence and genotype distribution of hepatitis C virus in people living with HIV in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-positive individuals in many resource-limited countries. As prevalence rates of co-infection using the serological diagnosis of HCV infection might be imprecise, estimates of prevalence using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed diagnosis is needed to guide HCV treatment efforts among HIV-positive individuals in resource-limited countries. Methods We conducted this community-based cross-sectional study among 280 HIV-positive individuals recruited through the networks of five non-government organizations working with HIV-positive individuals in Kathmandu, Nepal. We collected blood samples from each participant and tested all the anti-HCV positive samples for HCV-RNA and genotypes. We calculated the prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection and examined factors associated with it using multivariable logistic regression analysis. We also calculated the proportion of infection by different HCV genotypes and investigated HCV seroconversion. Results The prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection was 29.6% (95% CI 24.25–34.95). History of a lifetime injecting drug use was associated with a higher likelihood of HCV/HIV co-infection (p < .001). Of the 81 individuals whose serum samples were available for genotype assessment, 55.7% tested positive for genotype 3A, 36.7% for genotype 1A and the remaining samples' genotype was undetermined (7.6%). Of the 100 anti-HCV positive samples, 17 (17.0%) tested negative for HCV RNA. Conclusions High prevalence of HCV/HIV co-infection, distribution of prevalent HCV genotype 1A and 3A and HCV seroconversion rate have important implications for the public health system in guiding HCV treatment and control efforts among HIV-positive individuals.