Frequent Occurrence of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection among West African HIV Type-1--Infected Children

Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa, children with chronic hepatitis B and who are treated with 3TC-based HAART are at risk of developing 3TC resistance. Further studies are required to guide the management of HBV-HIV-1-coinfected children.

Seroprevalence of HBV and HIV Co-infection in Children in Nnewi, South-East, Nigeria

“…This may be related to differences in population characteristics such as exposure to risk factors, socioeconomic status, HBV immunization rates and methods of assay. Among HIV-positive children, studies that used ELISA assay methods reported higher prevalence rates than the 5.8% found in this study; 7.7% in Benin, 19% in Maiduguri [32] and 12% in Cote d'Ivoire [33]. Other researchers have made similar observations [34,35].…”

Risk Factors, Clinical Features, Baseline Alanine Aminotransferase and CD4<sup>+</sup> Count of Children with HIV Co-Infection with Hepatitis B and C at a Tertiary Hospital in Southwest Nigeria

“…They did not find significant difference in baseline CD4 count, WHO clinical stage, and ALT between HIVmonoinfection and HIV/HBV or HIV/HCV co-infections similar to a research finding in Cote d'Ivore [39]. Rawizza et al [9] however found some HIV infected children who had significant ALT elevation to 5-fold the upper border of normal, this was however, not related to HBV or HCV co-infection [9].…”

“…This suggests that co-infection did not negatively affect the clinical presentation of both HBV and HCV infection in this cohort. The few paediatric [39]. Chronic hepatitis B and C viruses in childhood usually run indolent courses until chronic liver diseases manifest, most often in adulthood [46].…”

“…Two studies, one from Nigeria and China did not find significant difference in baseline WHO staging between HIV/HBV or HCV co-infection and HIV-monoinfection [3] [9]. These studies however, differ from the research findings in Cote d'Ivoire where children with HIV/HBV or HCV co-infections presented with Centre for Disease Control (CDC) HIV stage B or C disease compared with children who had HIV-monoinfection [39]. Among adults, a study in Nigeria has reported that the prevalence of HIV co-infection with HBV or HCV increases with HIV disease progression, similar to research finding in India [5] [25].…”

“…Rouet et al [39] in Cote d'Ivoire evaluated the baseline HBeAg in children with HIV/HBV co-infection and followed these children for at least 18 months. It was found that 82% of children with HIV/HBV co-infection had chronic HBeAg positive HBV infection, with persistence of HBeAg beyond 18months in about 80% of these patients.…”