Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Mangalore, South India

Abstract

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic has continued to be a major public health problem even after more than three and a half decade of existence. According to the World Health Organization estimates, 36.7 million people were living with HIV by 2015 end while chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) occurs in 240 and 130–150 million people worldwide, respectively. Since the general modes of transmission are similar to HIV, coinfection of HIV with HBV/HCV is commonly found, being variable worldwide. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of this study were (1) To investigate the seroprevalence of HBV/HCV in HIV-positive patients and (2) To analyze the demographic pattern and laboratory parameters. Settings and Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: The serum samples from confirmed HIV-positive patients were screened and confirmed for HBV and HCV following standard operative procedures. The demographic pattern and laboratory parameters were also obtained. Statistical Analysis Used: SPSS software version 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in HIV-positive patients was found to be 6.6% and 0.7%, respectively. Males (n = 7) were more commonly infected than females (n = 3) with the age group of 31–40 years being the most common and majority were married (n = 9). In HBV-HIV coinfection, the mean values of serum globulin, serum total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, aspartate amino-transferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase were increased, but in the only case of HCV-HIV coinfection, only hemoglobin and platelet count were decreased. A majority (n = 8) improved on discharge. Conclusions: The seroprevalence of HBV/HCV was high with laboratory test showing a significant correlation between HBV-HIV coinfection and serum globulin and ALT. Hence, creating awareness, understanding these diseases, and providing screening test in suspected individuals is the need of the hour which will improve the mortality rates related to them.