Aim: The level of some biomarkers such as the Lipid profiles and some liver enzymes were checked for in patients who were found to be co infected with HIV/HBV Study Design: The study was conducted among patients infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus attending the antiretroviral clinic at the Braith Waite memorial hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The samples and relevant data were gotten between the months of January and March 2019, using a structured questionnaire Methodology: The Samples were collected from patients infected with HIV attending the Braith Waite memorial hospital on antiretroviral medication. A total number of 98 samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of HBV IgM core antibody using the ELISA method. The statistical analysis was done using a Stata version 16 and the student T-test was used to determine the P value. A total of 98 samples were collected, 66(67.3%) were females and 32(32.6%) of them were males. Of the 98 samples, 5 (5.1%) of them were positive to HIV/HBV co infection of which 3(3.1%) were females and 2(2%) were males. The age range for those co infected was between 29 – 34 years old. The lipid profile and liver enzymes for the positive samples were analyzed. The result showed an increase in the level of LDL, HDL and triglyceride. The analysis for the liver enzymes showed an increase in the level of AST and ALP while the ALT and GGT remained within the healthy range.  The increase in the level of most of the biomarkers, showed that the patients co infected with HIV/HBV were at risk of heart and kidney diseases since they are already immunocompromised. From this result, it shows that patients who are HIV positive should undergo HBV test regularly. Those who are positive should have their biomarkers monitored and put under medication early.

Hepatitis D virus is an incomplete RNA virus requiring the assistance of the hepatitis B virus, specifically the HBsAg, to be infectious in humans. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of HDV among HIV patients and the effect on liver enzymes. The study was conducted at the Rivers state University Teaching hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Blood samples were obtained through vein puncture from 93 adults of which 41(44%) were males while 52(56%) were females between the ages 18 and 70 years attending the antiretroviral clinic and CD4+ cell count was also obtained. The samples were preserved at -20ºC.  Each of the samples was tested using a SWE-Care rapid strip (China) for the presence of HBsAg. HDV antibody was detected using a Dia. Pro ELISA kit (Italy). The AST, ALT and ALP were determined. SPSS 21 was used to analyze the data and P values were determined. From the total samples collected, 7(7.5%) of them were positive to the HBsAg test of which 3(3.2%) were males, while 4(4.3%) of them were females. Of the 7 people positive to the HBsAg, 6(6.4%) were positive to the HDV antibody with 3(3.2%) females and 3(3.2%) males. There was significant depletion of the CD4+ cells across the groups. For the liver function test, the P values were ˃ 0.05 for AST, ALT and ˂ 0.05 for ALP. The HDV infection from the study was not gender, nor age based and suggests a negative impact on the CD4 cells.  The liver function enzyme analysis, suggest higher risk of hypertension in HIV/HBV/HDV infection.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) a major human pathogen infecting millions of individuals worldwide, thereby in- creasing the risks for chronic liver diseases and has been discovered that HIV/HCV co-infected patients have a greater risk. Objective: To determine the prevalence of HCV infection among HIV infected people in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Methodology: The patients were from the ages of 18 and above attending the antiretroviral clinic for over 6 months. The mean age of the participants was 36.91±8.38. Data were gotten from the 550 patients using a modified questionnaire and 5mls of blood samples were collected through venepuncture into EDTA bottles and spun at 3000rpm for 10 minutes sepa- rating the plasma from the whole blood. The CD4+ count was gotten from the patients’ file and the samples kept at -700C till analized. HCV antibody was detected using a commercially available third generation kit manufactured by Melsin Medical Co and statistical analysis was done using a Stata version 16. P value was determined using ANOVA. Result: Total number positive to the HCV antibody was 24(4.4%) of which 8(33.3%) were males, while 16(66.7%) were females. Prevalence (29.2%) was among patients in the 31–35 age range. The CD4+ count ranged from 22-864 cells/µl with a mean value of 303.08±194. Conclusion: From this study HIV/HCV co-infection occurs among HIV infected people in Port Harcourt. The CD4+ count was discovered to be low and was not age, nor gender dependent. HIV infected people should therefore be routinely screened for HCV. Keywords: Serology; HCV; HIV; CD4+ Count.