Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seroprevalence Research Articles

Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty Hospital HIV-1/-2 Serological Test Data: 2019-2022 Retrospective Evaluation

Objective: The aim of this study was to retrospectively discuss the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) scanning and verification test results and demographics of patients who were admitted to the Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty’s Medical Microbiology Laboratory Center Serology/ELISA division with suspected HIV infection or pre-operative serologic screening. In addition, the study aimed to compare HIV seroprevalence with data from the center’s previous period. Materials and Methods: HIV-1/-2 antibody +P24 antigen (HIV-1/-2 Ab/Ag) was studied routinely using the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) method with the same method also being used as the second repeat test. The sera verifications of patients who showed repeated reactivity after the HIV Ab/Ag test were studied using the line immunoassay (LIA) method. Results: The study retrospectively studied 156,542 cases between 2019-2022, of which 237 (0.17%) showed repeated anti-HIV-1/-2 reactivity. From the repeated reactivity serum samples, LIA testing was performed to confirm the remaining 181 serum samples after excluding the previously confirmed samples, with 175 (96.6%) coming back positive. All these samples showed sgp120 and gp41 band positivity, thus confirming HIV1 positivity. Conclusion: These retrospective data from one center regarding HIV seroprevalence for the 2019-2022 period are in line with other national studies. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, HIV prevalence during this period may have been higher than detected. HIV prevalence in Istanbul, being a cosmopolitan city that receives immigrants, should be monitored in the future.

HIV-TB Cross-referral and Collaborative Strategy: 8 Years of Our Experience from An Urban Health Centre in North India

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics continue to fuel each other and with dual infections with these two deadly diseases on the rise, it becomes imperative to devise effective HIV-TB collaborative strategies. The present study was designed to evaluate the existing HIV-TB cross-referral mechanism at an urban health centre; to determine HIV sero-prevalence among pulmonary TB patients referred from chest clinic to the integrated counselling and testing centre (ICTC); and to evaluate the TB suspects referred from ICTC to the chest clinic for a possible TB aetiology. The present study was a retrospective analysis of HIV-TB cross-referrals whereby a line list of all the patients referred under this strategy from January 2006 to December 2013 was retrieved and analysed. A total of 3726 TB cases were referred to the ICTC and 641 TB suspects were identified by ICTC counsellors and referred to the chest clinic during this period. HIV sero-prevalence among TB patients was 2.8% (106 of 3726) and TB prevalence among HIV sero-positive and sero-negative TB suspects was 9.3% (10/108) and 4.3% (9/211), respectively (p=0.07). HIV prevalence was found to be significantly higher among male (n=2024) than among female (n=1702) TB patients (4.4% versus 0.9%; p<0.0001). Only 319 of 641 (49.8%) ICTC patients referred to the chest clinic reached there. Our study highlights the strong need to scale up the integration and partnership between HIV and TB programmes for better and integrated diagnosis and care of HIV-TB co-infected patients.

Dual positivity of HIV and anti-HCV in the highly infected population of Rivers State, Nigeria

The study looked to establish dual positivity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody among HIV-infected individuals in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Plasma samples from 89 HIV-infected individuals presenting at the Retroviral Clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers State, Nigeria, were assayed for anti-HCV-antibody. Seropositivity of anti-HCV-antibody was detected with ELISA kits. Variables tested include sex, age group, educational status, marital status and occupation. Significant variance (p&lt;0.05) existed between patients with mono-HIV infection and those with dual infection of HIV and HCV. Of these infections, 20(22.5%) had HIV and HCV dual infection, while 69(77.5%) had HIV mono-infection. Higher seroprevalence of HIV was found in females [65(73.0%)] than males [24(27.0%)]. The highest seroprevalence of HIV was found in the age group 41-60 years [41(46.1%)], and the age-group 20-30 years had the least prevalence [19(21.3%)]. Also, females had higher HIV and HCV dual positivity (23.1%) than males (20.8%). The age group 31-40 years in this study had the highest HIV and HCV dual positivity (34.5%), while the age group 41-60 years had the lowest prevalence (12.2%). Regarding marital status, singles constituted most study participants and had a dual positivity rate of 28.6% for HIV and HCV. This dual positivity was higher than those divorced and married, with 20.0% and 14.3% prevalence, respectively. Patients with tertiary education (27.3%) and those employed (41.2%) had a higher prevalence than others. None of these demographic characteristics was significantly associated with HIV-HCV dual positivity (p&gt;0.05) except for occupations (p=0.04). Our study further confirms the dual positivity of HIV and anti-HCV in Rivers State, Nigeria. Planned prevention, screening, and treatment are required to reduce further transmission and morbidity.

SEROPREVALENCE OF TRANSFUSION TRANSMISSIBLE INFECTIONS AMONG BLOOD DONORS AT A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN AJMER, RAJASTHAN: A 5 YEAR STUDY

Objective: The objective of the study was to study the seroprevalence of TTIs (transfusion transmissible infections) among blood donors from the records (June 2017–May 2022) at blood center, JLN Hospital and associated group of Hospital, Ajmer, Rajasthan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of 5 years from June 2017 to May 2022. Serum samples were screened for hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) (III generation ELISA), antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Type 1 and 2 (IV generation ELISA kits), Syphilis and Malaria parasite using modified Treponema pallidum hemagglutination test and rapid card test, respectively. Results: A total of 75,034 healthy donors were included out of which majority of donors were male (97.4%). The overall seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, Syphilis, and Malaria were 0.07%, 0.71%, 0.06%, 0.29%, and 0.05%, respectively. Conclusion: Methods to ensure a safety blood supply should be encouraged. The increase in public awareness regarding voluntary blood donation, meticulous donor screening, counseling and use of highly sensitive tests can help in reducing the risk of TTIs.

Prevalence of serological markers for Hepatitis B and C Viruses, human immuno-deficiency virus and Treponema pallidum among blood donors in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

In Sub-Saharan Africa, transfusion safety remains a challenge due to the high endemicity of blood-borne infections. This study aimed to determining the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and Treponema pallidum among blood donors in Ouagadougou. This was a retrospective study in blood donor. HIV 1/2 and HCV antibodies and HBsAg were screened and confirmed with two ELISA (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay). While T. pallidum antibodies were also screened and confirmed with two serology tests. Only samples positive for both tests were counted as positive. Prevalence rates were calculated among first-time blood donors. Of 63,779 registered blood donors, 54,113 (84.84%) were first-time donors. Overall seroprevalences of HIV, HBV, HCV and Treponema pallidum were 2.56%, 11.87%, 5.89% and 3.22% respectively. Seroprevalences of HIV-HBV, HBV-HCV, HBV- T. pallidum and HIV-HBV-HCV co-infections were 0.36; 1.21; 0.54 and 0.02 respectively. The study reports that HIV, HBV, HCV and Treponema pallidum seroprevalences remain high among blood donors. These results highlight a potential infectious risk to blood products recipients.

The Burden of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immunodeficiency Viruses in Ovarian Cancer Patients in Nairobi, Kenya

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a gynecological malignancy characterized by high morbidity and mortalities due to late-stage diagnosis because accurate early diagnostic biomarkers are lacking. Testing of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in OC patients is pertinent in light of the emerging evidence of their contribution to poor prognosis. We, for the first time, investigated the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections in a Kenyan cohort of OC to inform optimal management. We recruited a cohort of women above 18 years of age, comprising 86 OC patients and 50 healthy controls. Participants’ blood samples were serologically screened for HBV, HCV, and HIV. We found seroprevalence rates of 29.1%, 26.7%, and 1.2% for HBV, HIV, and HCV, respectively, in OC patients. The healthy control group had HBV and HIV seroprevalence rates of 3.9% for each with no positive HCV case. HBV/HIV coinfection was noted only in the OC group with a positivity rate of 17.4%. In summary, we found higher HBV and HIV seroprevalence in Kenyan OC patients compared to the healthy control group, whereas HCV prevalence was reflective of the general population. Hence, we recommend screening for HBV and HIV among OC patients destined for anticancer treatment.

Nucleic acid testing identifies high prevalence of blood borne viruses among approved blood donors in Mozambique.

BackgroundAlthough blood transfusion is an intervention that saves lives, it poses significant risks to the blood receivers, including the transmission of bloodborne pathogens. We aimed at determining the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in candidates approved for blood donation, and in samples considered to be negative in reference blood banks in Mozambique.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed between November 2014 and October 2015 in Maputo and Beira cities. Demographic information was obtained from all consenting blood donors using a structured questionnaire. Plasma samples were screened for HIVAb/Ag combinations, HBsAg and Anti-HCV. Blood donors considered to be negative by serological testing were re-tested in pools of six plasma samples using nucleic acid testing (NAT).ResultsMost blood donors were male 2,320 (83.4%) with an age range of 18 to 34 years. The overall seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV infections among blood donors approved for donation was 4.6% (127; 95% CI 3.8–5.4), 4.5% (124; 95% CI 3.7–5.3) and 0.4% (11; 95% CI 0.2–0.7), respectively. The overall frequency by NAT of HIV RNA, HBV DNA, and HCV RNA in serologically negative blood donor samples was 2.6 per 1000 blood donors (7; 95% CI 1.1–5.4); 12.5 per 1000 blood donors (33; 95% CI 8.6–17.5) and 2.6 per 1000 blood donors (6; 95% CI 1.0–5.7), respectively.ConclusionOur results show high seroprevalence of HIV and HBV infections in blood donors approved for donation, and high frequency of molecular biomarkers of HIV, HBV, and HCV in blood considered to be safe. These results suggest the need for a new blood screening policy in Mozambique, including the use of NAT to detect infectious blood donations during the immunologically negative window.

Magnitudes and Correlates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, and Syphilis among Pregnant Mothers Attending Antenatal Care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and syphilis are major sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the general population in Ethiopia, which in turn result in a wide range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Hence, it is important to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of HIV, HBV, and syphilis infection among pregnant mothers attending antenatal care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among 286 pregnant women from February 1, 2021, to March 30, 2021, in four selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa. Sociodemographic, risky sociocultural, behavioral, and hospital-related factors were collected using an interview-administered questionnaire. Detection of anti-HIV antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) for syphilis was conducted. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine predictors of STIs using SPSS version 25. Result A total of 281 pregnant mothers with a mean age of 27.5 (SD 4.6) completed the study. Among the participants, the seroprevalence rates of HIV, HBV, and syphilis were 15 (5.3%), 9 (3.2%), and 5 (1.8%), respectively. Twenty six (9.3%) of the participants tested positive for any one of the STIs, and 3 (1.1%) of the women had HIV and syphilis coinfections. History of multiple sexual partners (AOR 3.42, 95% CI: 1.6-11.63) and STIs (AOR 3.7; 95% CI: 1.70-13.45) were significantly associated with HIV infection. Likewise, history of abortion (AOR 7.65, 95% CI: 1.17-49.74), tattooing (AOR 9.72, 95% CI: 1.41-66.73), and rape (AOR 9.72, 95% CI: 1.41-66.73) were significantly associated with hepatitis B virus infection. Husband history of multiple sexual partners (AOR 20.9, 95% CI: 1.8-241.8) was significantly associated with syphilis infection. The educational level of participants, history of tattooing (AOR 6.24, 95% CI: 1.79-21.7), and history of multiple sexual partners (AOR 5.15, 95% CI: 1.68-15.7) were independent predictors of infection with any one of the STIs. Conclusion There is still a high burden of HIV, HBV, and syphilis among pregnant mothers in Ethiopia. History of multiple sexual partners, abortion, rape, and tattooing was a significant predictor of STIs.

HIV-associated DLBCL: Clinicopathological factors including dual-colour chromogenic in situ hybridisation to assess MYC gene copies

IntroductionDiffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) comprises up to 43% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in South Africa due to the high seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the southern African region. We explored the prognostic influence of an array of clinicopathological factors, including MYC gene copy numbers, within HIV-associated DLBCL. MethodsThe retrospective inclusion of 123 tumours was followed by c-MYC immunohistochemistry and dual-colour MYC and centromere 8 (CEN8) chromogenic in situ hybridisation on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections. Clinicopathological data were collected, interpreted and analysed. ResultsHIV seropositive patients comprised 81% (93/115), mean age 42 (SD 10.8) years, with 55% males, HIV negative patients comprised 19% (22/115), mean age 57 (SD 16.7) years (p = 0.001), with 59% males and the HIV status was unknown for 8 patients. The median CD4 count was 162 (IQR 215) cells/mm3, 33% of patients presented with CD4 counts <100 cells/mm3 and the median viral load was 217 (IQR 182 981) copies/mL. There was advanced stage at presentation (i.e., III-IV, 87%), with Ki-67 proliferation indices ≥90% in 85%- and c-MYC expression (i.e., ≥40%) in 58% of tumours. Double expression of c-MYC and BCL2 was associated with a non-germinal center immunophenotype (p < 0.01). Low-level increase of MYC gene copy numbers and MYC rearrangements occurred in 57% and 12%, respectively. C8 polysomy, MYC gene clusters and concurrent MYC rearrangement/increased MYC gene copies were also detected. Inferior median overall survival (OS) occurred when the CD4 counts were <100 cells/mm3 (149 days 95% CI 44-254, p 0,04) and when IPI scores were 3–5 [155 days (95% CI 37–273), p = 0.01]. Concomitant infections negatively impacted the survival outcome, multivariate regression analysis (HR 4.01, 95% CI 1.86–12.20, p = 0.02). Conclusionc-MYC protein expression, low-level increase in MYC gene copy numbers, rearrangement, C8 polysomy, MYC gene clusters and concurrent MYC rearrangement/low-level gains are present in HIV+ DLBCL. CD4 counts < 100 cells/mm3, IPI scores 3-5 and concomitant infections negatively impact the survival outcome.

Occurrence Rate of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Co - infection among Expectant Mothers Attending Antenatal Clinic in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

The global burden of co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) has a negative impact in Sub-Saharan Africa.When HIV, HBV and HCV co-exist, they become life threatening and with high fatality rate particularly in gestation in which transmission occurs vertically, causing fetal and neonatal hepatitis. The study aimed at examining the occurrence rate of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) co - infection among expectant mothers attending antenatal clinic in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). The study population comprised of one hundred and fifty (150) pregnant women. Venous blood was used in the study and screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, and anti-HIV antibodies using commercially available immunoassay test kits. The prevalence of HCV, HIV and HBsAg among the pregnant subjects in relation to age group 21-30 and 31-40 in the study revealed a seropositive percentage of 0.7% and 1.3%. The other groups, however, showed no positive result among the three viruses. Furthermore, 0.7% of the pregnant women in their first, second and third trimester were co-infected with HCV and HBsAg while 1.3% out of 36.7% and 0.7% out of 61.3% of pregnant women within the age groups 21-30 and 31-40 respectively were seropositive for HIV. In relation to gestational age, it was seen from the study that 0.7% of the pregnant women in their first, second and third trimester were seropositive for HCV and HBsAg respectively, while 2% of the HIV seropositive pregnant women were in their first trimester. The overall seroprevalence of HCV, HIV and HBsAg as revealed in the study showed that infection was found to be 2% respectively among the pregnant women. The reduced prevalence of hepatitis B (HBsAg), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection observed in the study among pregnant women attending antenatal care in the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital may be attributed to the increase in the awareness amongst the general populace in Port Harcourt especially couples about the consequences of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B as well as Hepatitis C. In other words, there is reduction in seroprevalence of HBsAg, HCV and HIV which is premised on the efficacy of sensitization particularly on HBV vaccination and preventive protocols for HIV.

Seroprevalence of Blood-borne Viral Infections among Blood Donors in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kalaburagi District, Karnataka, India

Introduction: Transfusion of blood and its components is a life- saving manoeuvre but has life threatening hazards as well. Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) is covered by “Drug and Cosmetics Act” and has legal implications. Hence, strict criteriae are followed while selecting a donor, particularly emphasising on Transfusion Transmissible Infections (TTI), which may improve safe transfusion practices. Aim: To study the seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) among Voluntary Donors (VD) in blood centre, tertiary care hospital, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: The present study was retrospective observational study done for four consecutive years from 1st January 2017 to 31st December 2020. Data of all donors screened for HIV, HBV and HCV was retrieved from the records of Gulbarga Institute Medical Sciences (GIMS) Blood Centre, GIMS Hospital, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India. The results were tabulated and analysed using descriptive statistics.. Results: Total blood units taken were 15,466 from VDs. There were 96.8% (14,966/15,466) male and 3.2% (500/15,466) female donors. The overall seropositivity of HBV, HCV and HIV was 1.8%, 0.006% and 0.12%, respectively. The highest seroprevalence of TTI was found to be in the age group of 18-30 years (169 donors; 55.6%) followed by 31-40 years age group (103 donors; 33.9%). Conclusion: This study shows increasing trend for total blood donation. Strict selection and retention of voluntary low-risk blood donors is recommended to improve the blood safety. Use of highly sensitive screening tests like Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) technology may be implemented in all blood centres to possibly reduce the incidence of TTI.

HIV Seroprevalence in Mogadishu, Somalia: a Retrospective Study between 2015 and 2019.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains a major global public health problem. This study aimed to obtain current epidemiological data on the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in Mogadishu, Somalia. This study included 92,270 anti-HIV test results reported for 82,954 different individuals between 2015 and 2019. HIV tests were performed using the Architect HIV Ag/Ab Combo assay and retested with the Elecsys HIV combi PT assay. HIV seropositivity was found to be 0.32% (269/82,954) in all individuals over a period of four years. Anti-HIV seropositivity in the 0 - 14, 15 - 19, 15 - 24, 15 - 49, and > 15 age groups were as follows: 0.17% (11/6,441), 0.17% (12/7,131), 0.15% (35/24,132), 0.37% (212/56,895), and 0.34% (258/76,513), respectively. In HIV-infected patients, anti-HBs, HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-TP (syphilis) seropositivity was found to be 30.3% (56/185), 9.54% (23/241), 1.24% (3/242), and 3.45% (2/58), respectively. The findings from this study provide comprehensive data on the HIV epidemiology in Somalia. We believe that the results presented in this study will contribute to the risk analysis and planning of preventive policies of national and global health organizations.

Seroprevalence of HBsAg, Anti-HBs, Anti-HCV and Anti-HIV in Behçet’s Disease

Introduction: Behçet's disease defined by Turkish dermatologist Hulusi Behçet is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology and characterized by recurrent oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers, uveitis and skin lesions. We aimed to evaluate hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence in Behçet's Disease.&#x0D; Material and Method: Patients diagnosed with Behçet’s diseaseand followed up by the dermatology outpatient clinic during 12-years period between July 2008 and July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic datas and HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HCV, Anti-HIV results of the patients were recorded.&#x0D; Results: 359 patients with Behçet’s disease were been evaluated in this study. Of these patients, 189 (52.6%) were female, 170 (47.4%) were male and the mean age was 37.7±12.3 years. HBsAg was positive in 6 (1.6%) patients and Anti-Hbs ab in 82 (7.7%) patients. Anti HIV ab was negative in all patients. Anti-HCV antibodies were found positive in only one case (0.2%), and this was confirmed by testing for hepatitis C virus-ribonucleic acid (HCV RNA). HCV RNA was negative in this patient. &#x0D; Conclusion: When compared with the general population, seropositivity rates were not detected to be high in Behçet's patients. In fact, the immunity rates were found very low. Based on such a finding, it was concluded that screening is required due to increasing immunosupressive treatments today, and individuals should be vaccinated in cases where HBV indicators are negative.In the other studies, investigating the entity, seropositivity rates have been found similar to those in the population. Considering that serological data show regional differences, we thought that, our study will contribute to the literature both national and international grades due to large patient population in our region.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Sero-Prevalence among Women in Namibia: Further Analysis of Population-Based Data.

Socioeconomic inequality is a major factor to consider in the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. The aim of this study was to investigate socioeconomic inequalities in HIV prevalence among Namibian women. Data from a population-based household survey with multistage-stratified sample of 6501 women were used to examine the link between socioeconomic inequalities and HIV prevalence. The weighted HIV prevalence was 13.2% (95% CI: 12.1–14.3%). The HIV prevalence among the poorest, poorer, middle, richer, and richest households was 21.4%, 19.7%, 16.3%, 11.0%, and 3.7%, respectively. Similarly, 21.2%, 21.7%, 11.8%, and 2.1% HIV prevalence was estimated among women with no formal education and primary, secondary, and higher education, respectively. Women from poor households (Conc. Index = −0.258; SE = 0.017) and those with no formal education (Conc. Index = −0.199; SE = 0.015) had high concentration of HIV infection, respectively. In light of these findings, HIV prevention strategies must be tailored to the specific drivers of transmission in low socioeconomic groups, with special attention paid to the vulnerabilities faced by women and the dynamic and contextual nature of the relationship between socioeconomic status and HIV infection.

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Various High Risk Groups at Rural Tertiary Care Hospital in Upums Saifai Etawah

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Various High Risk Groups at Rural Tertiary Care Hospital in Upums Saifai Etawah

Evaluation of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphomas (HL) are lymphoid neoplasms. Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are viruses that could proliferate in lymphoid tissues. These viruses may cause lymphoproliferative diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and HL, to compare the relationship between these two disease groups and to determine the relationship between the three viruses and their characteristics. The study was a retrospective study. Patients who were followed up in hematology and hepatitis outpatient units between January 01, 2012, and May 01, 2019, were included in the study. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the disease groups in terms of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B core (HBc) IgG antibody, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), and anti-HBe seropositivities (P = 0.004, P = 0.006, P = 0.041, and P = 0.014, respectively). There was also a statistically significant relationship between the disease groups in terms of anti-HCV seropositivity (P = 0.029). HBsAg, anti-HBc IgG, HBeAg, anti-Hbe, and HCV seropositivity rates were higher in patients with DLBCL than in patients with HL. These findings suggest that there may be a relationship between hepatitis viruses and DLBCL. Evaluation of HBV and HCV infections in these patients before starting treatment is thought to be beneficial in initiating antiviral prophylaxis to prevent reactivation in seropositive cases. In addition, care should be taken for the development of lymphoma in the follow-up of HCV and HBV infections.

Screening of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among Newly Diagnosed Tuberculosis Patients in Eastern Sudan.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of death in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and HIV infection is the most potent risk factor for the development of active TB disease from a latent TB infection. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of HIV among newly diagnosed TB patients in Kassala state eastern Sudan. This was a descriptive, hospital-based, cross-sectional study of 251 active and newly diagnosed TB patients, selected by simple random sampling. Blood samples and demographic data were collected from each patient. TB was diagnosed by direct ZN smear and molecular detection by Xpert MTB/RIF. The serum samples were tested for HIV using 4th generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The prevalence of HIV was 13.9% (35/251), the infection rate among pulmonary TB was 17%, whereas that in extrapulmonary TB was 4.8%, the prevalence was (18.2%) in the males, and (7.2%) in the females. In conclusion: TB/HIV co-infection in the Eastern part of Sudan was high compared with the global prevalence, all TB patients should therefore be assessed for HIV risk factors and advised to undergo HIV testing.

Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, and Syphilis Infections among Pregnant Women Booked for Antenatal Care at Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Nigeria

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among pregnant women are an important health issue in Nigeria, but its prevalence in Lokoja is not known. Objective: The objective of this study is to establish the seroprevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and syphilis infections among pregnant women booked for the antenatal clinic in Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Nigeria, and determine risk factors associated with the infections. Methods: We prospectively screened three hundred pregnant women booked for antenatal care between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2016, for HIV, HBV, and syphilis. Their demographic data, risk factors, and results of the screening tests were analyzed using the SPSS version 20 and presented in simple charts, tables, and percentages. Results: Thirty nine (13%) out of the 300 pregnant women tested seropositive for either HIV (28, 9.3%), HBV (10, 3.3%), or syphilis (one, 0.3%). The most common identifiable risk factor for these infections was multiple sexual partners which accounted for 38.4%. Conclusions: The seroprevalence of STIs in this study was 13% and the most common risk factor for the infections was multiple sexual partners. Therefore, effective preventive strategies for HIV, HBV, and syphilis are advocated.

HIV Seroprevalence among the Patients or Clients Obtaining Blood Sample at BSMMU Virology Laboratory

Departments of Virology (DVs), BSMMU receive patients from every background, socioeconomic group and health status. Hence, DVs can play a critical role in offering human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and help in the national strategy of early HIV detection. The present study was conducted on 1208 patients attending DVs after taking Institutional Review Board approval. They were screened for HIV antibodies by three rapid/simple assay tests having different principles/antigens as per the WHO guidelines. Forty four (13.6%) of the 1208 patients were HIV reactive and 1164(96.4%) were negative respectively. Distribution of patients on the basis of gender where 894 (74.1%) were male and 313 (25.9%) were female out of 1208 patients or clients. Distribution of study subject on the basis of exposure history where 378(38.8%) patients or clients had history of exposure and 830 (68.7%) patients or clients did not. Distribution of the patients on the basis of purpose of screening where patients were in three groups (Screening before operation, Positive exposure history and To exclude HIV infection during failure of drug Rx) where 776(64.2%) patients were done anti-HIV test due to screening purpose before operation, 378(31.1%) patients were done this test due to Positive exposure history exposure history and 54(4.5%) patients done this due to exclude HIV infection during failure of drug treatment. Prevalence of HIV infection was more among 21-40yrs age group than other age group(18mon-20yrs,41-60yrs&amp;&gt;60yrs) which is not significant . Data shows there was significant association of anti-HIV positivity with exposure history of the patients or clients. Prevalence of HIV infection was more among patients or clients who had history of exposure. Prevalence of HIV was more among the patients who were done screening test due to failure of drugs than other two purposes. Bangladesh is still considered as a low HIV/AIDS prevalent country. However, it is at a critical moment in the course of its AIDS epidemic. It is estimated that there are 13,000 HIV-positive people in the country and that HIV prevalence in the adult population is less than 0.01%. However, the country's vulnerability is very high. National HIV surveillance indicates that the rate of HIV infection among street-based sex workers in central Bangladesh is high compared with sex workers in other parts of South Asia. HIV among injecting drug users is already 10.5%.The presence of covert multi-partner sexual activity and denial, the low level of knowledge and low condom use, unsafe professional blood donations, lack of a desirable environment and violation of Human Rights, all contribute to the spread of HIV in Bangladesh. Thus, the study emphasizes the need for expansion of routine voluntary HIV counseling and testing to all the patients who come to the DV and practicing universal work precautions by health care workers.&#x0D;

Vertical transmission of HIV, Where do we stand ? Study done in PPTCT center - in a tertiary level of hospital of Western Rajasthan.

Background:Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in pregnant women has an important role in its spread to the pediatric population through vertical transmission. Effective utilization of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) services can reduce this spread. This study aims to determine the vertical transmission of HIV, the seroprevalence of HIV in antenatal women, demographic factors of seropositive women, and utilization of PPTCT services to minimize the risk of mother-to-child transmission.Methods:This study was conducted to assess vertical transmission of HIV in the newborn of HIV pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) of a tertiary care hospital from August 2014 to December 2020. Pretest counseling, HIV testing, and posttest counseling were done as per National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) guidelines. Antiretroviral prophylaxis was given to seropositive women and their children. Analysis of demographic data of seropositive women and assessment of the utilization of PPTCT services were done according to available records.Results:In the study time, 139,619 new antenatal registrations were there, 68.21% of women attended pretest counseling and of them, 95.28% gave consent for HIV testing. Out of which, 0.14% were reported as HIV seropositive in PPTCT (tested according to NACO guidelines). In the study time, a total of 188 HIV-positive deliveries were conducted in our institute. Out of which, 144 (76.6%) were ANC-booked patients and 44 (23.4%) were unbooked patients and directly came in labor, deliveries were conducted according to NACO guidelines and all newborns were given nevirapine syrup. All newborns were followed up until 18 months and in study time, 78 dry blood samples (DBSs) were sent for DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection and all were reported negative by the reference laboratory at AIIMS, New Delhi.Conclusions:Adherence to testing, treatment, and follow-up in the antenatal and postnatal period can minimize the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child.