IntroductionThis study sought to identify common causes of death as well as the factors associated with the high inpatient mortality rate of HIV-infected patients at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).MethodsThe retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 547 HIV-infected adults aged 18 years or older admitted to the KBTH between the months of January 2012 and October 2013. Using standardized abstraction forms, clinical and demographic data of eligible patients was collected. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who died within 7 days (early) and after (late) admission were compared using Rank Sum tests or Chi-square tests.ResultsOf 547 eligible patients during the period, 222 (40.6%) died during hospitalization, with 124 (55.9%) of them dying within a week of admission. Of the 222 patients who died, 190 (85.6%) were previously known HIV-positive. Yet, 141 (63.5%) of the 222 patients who died had no prior highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The most common admitting diagnoses were anemia (34.2%), cerebral toxoplasmosis (29.3%), and pneumonia (25.7%); the most common causes of death were tuberculosis (34.7%), anemia (30.2%) and cerebral toxoplasmosis (27.5%). Tuberculosis was the only factor significantly associated with early death (P<0.05).ConclusionThe inpatient mortality rate among HIV-infected adults admitted to the KBTH is high. A majority of the patients were not receiving HAART despite known HIV diagnosis. Earlier initiation of HAART may lower the risk of opportunistic infections and HIV mortality rates. Additionally, a high index of suspicion and initiation of empiric treatment for TB may reduce early deaths.

Background The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) resistance mutations upon initiation or during antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV co-infected patients is an important determinant of treatment response. The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of HBV resistance mutations in antiretroviral treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced HBV-HIV co-infected Ghanaian patients with detectable HBV viremia. Methods HBV-HIV co-infected patients who were ART-naïve or had received at least 9 months of lamivudine (3TC)-containing ART were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Demographic and clinical data were collected and HBV DNA quantified. Partial HBV sequences were amplified by PCR and sequenced bi-directionally to obtain a 2.1-2.2 kb fragment for phylogenetic analysis of HBV genotypes and evaluation of drug resistance mutations. Results Of the 100 HBV-HIV co-infected study patients, 75 were successfully PCR-amplified, and 63 were successfully sequenced. Of these 63 patients, 27 (42.9%) were ART-experienced, and 58 (92.1%) had HBV genotype E. No resistance mutations were observed in the 36 ART-naïve patients, while 21 (77.8%) of 27 treatment-experienced patients had resistance mutations. All patients with resistance mutations had no tenofovir (TDF) in their regimens, and 80% of them had HIV RNA < 40 copies/mL. The 3TC resistance mutations rtL180M and rtM204V were observed in 10 (47.6%) of the 21 patients, while 5 patients (23.8%) had rtV173, rtL80I, and rtM204V mutations. Discussion A high proportion of HBV-HIV co-infected patients with detectable viremia on 3TC-containing ART had resistance mutations despite good ART adherence as determined by HIV RNA suppression. This study emphasizes the need for dual therapy as part of a fully suppressive ART in all HBV-HIV co-infected patients in Ghana.

BackgroundIn Ghana it is estimated that 1.2% of HIV infections occur in young people aged 15-24 but the representation in our clinics is small. Adherence to treatment, appointment keeping and knowledge of HIV status remains a challenge. Disclosure has been shown to result in better adherence to therapy, good clinical outcomes, psychological adjustment and reduction in the risk of HIV transmission when the young person becomes sexually active. A baseline study was conducted to ascertain if adolescents and young adults knew their HIV status and their knowledge on HIV. Informed consent and assent were obtained from willing participants. Self-administered questionnaires on general knowledge of HIV, HIV treatment and disclosure were collected and analyzed.ResultsThirty-four young persons participated in the study. The mean age was 16.9 ± SD 2.5 and 62% (21/32) were female. All of them were still in school. Eighty-five percent were aware that young people their age could fall sick, 91% had heard of HIV, 70% knew someone with HIV and 45% thought that adolescents were not at risk of HIV. On modes of HIV transmission, 66.7% knew HIV was transmitted through sex and 63.6% knew about mother to child transmission. Fifty three percent (18/34) knew their HIV status, 50% (17/34) were on antiretroviral and 35% (6/17) of them admitted to missing ARV doses. One person who said he was HIV negative and another who did not know his status were both on ARVs.ConclusionDisclosure of HIV status to adolescents and young people is dependent on a complex mix of factors and most practitioners recommend an age and developmentally appropriate disclosure. Thus it is highly individualized. The knowledge and awareness of HIV was 91% compared to 97% of adults in the most recent Ghana Demographic and Health Survey however only about two thirds had acceptable in depth knowledge on HIV. Only half knew their HIV status which was not the best considering their ages. There is the need to strengthen education to young persons with HIV, support adhere to ARVs for better outcomes and assist care givers to disclose HIV status to them.

BackgroundThe global burden of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV co-infection is enormous. The risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer is associated with HBV DNA levels. The main objective of the study was to determine proportion of Hepatitis B viremia in ART-naïve and ART-experienced co-infected Ghanaian patients and factors associated with HBV viremia after at least 36 weeks of lamivudine with or without tenofovir containing ART.MethodsHepatitis B and HIV co-infected patients who were ART-naïve or had received at least 9 months of lamivudine-containing ART were enrolled in a cross-sectional study at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Demographic and clinical data were collected and samples obtained for Hepatitis B serology, liver function tests and HBV DNA. Factors associated with viremia were determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsOf 3108 HIV-infected patients screened, 257 (8.3 %) were HBsAg-positive, of which 235 enrolled. Overall, 152 (64.7 %) were ART-experienced and 83 (35.3 %) were ART-naïve. Eighty-nine-percent of ART-naïve and 42.1 % of ART-experienced patients had HBV DNA > 20 IU/mL. In multivariate analysis of all patients, being ART-naïve (OR 10.1, 95 % CI 4.6 – 21.9) and elevated ALT (OR 3.7, 95 % CI 1.8 – 7.9) were associated with Hepatitis B viremia. In treatment experienced patients, elevated ALT (OR 4.8 CI 2.0 – 12.1) and male sex (OR 2.1, 95 % CI 1.0 – 4.2) were associated with Hepatitis B viremia.ConclusionsMajority of ART-naïve (89 %) and 42 % of ART-experienced patients had detectable hepatitis B viremia > 20 IU/mL. An abnormal serum ALT was significantly associated with hepatitis B viremia in HBV and HIV co-infected patients irrespective of treatment status. Baseline and on-treatment ALT may be a useful non-invasive predictor of Hepatitis B viremia in resource-constrained countries in sub-Saharan Africa where infection is endemic and viral load tests are not widely available.