Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus co-infections among tuberculosis patients attending a Model Rural Health Research Unit in Ghatampur, North India

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Introduction: This prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried out in order to assess the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections among patients with active tuberculosis (TB) disease attending an Outpatient Department (OPD) at the Model Rural Health Research Unit in Ghatampur, a rural village in Kanpur district. Materials and Methods: The socio-demographic features and clinical profile of the TB patients were analysed in the context of symptoms at the time of testing. The HIV and HBV status were determined and correlated with clinical features at the time of testing. Results: In our study, the prevalence of HIV infection among TB patients is 1.48% (18/1215) and that of HBsAg reactivity was found to be 2.96% (36/1215). During 2007–2010, the HIV-positivity varied between 1.5% and 1.45% whereas HBV reactivity ranged between 2.4% and 3.63%.A substantial percentage of the TB patients attending the OPD in Ghatampur harbour HIV and HBV infections, which otherwise would remain undiagnosed without serological screening. Conclusion: Co infection with HBV among TB patients potentiate the risk of anti-tuberculous therapy-induced hepatotoxicity, therefore, exercising caution and carefully monitoring the patients for drugs associated hepatotoxicity is essential. There is an urgent need to perform population-based surveys of HIV and hepatitis infections among TB patients to assess the true extent of the problem. Efforts should be made to make physicians aware of the peculiarities and manage these patients effectively.