Hepatitis B and C virus co-infection in Nigerian patients with HIV infection

Abstract

Introduction: We set out to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses among human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals and its impact on pattern of presentation. Methodology: A serological study for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses was performed on 260 HIV-positive individuals. These patients were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody. Results: Thirty (11.5%) patients tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen, six (2.3%) tested positive for anti-hepatitis C virus antibody, four (1.5%) were positive for both hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus and the overall prevalence was 15.4% . Individuals younger than 40 years of age were more affected, and the odds ratio of a female being co-infected was 1.2, 25% versus 75% p value = 0.03. The prevalence of HIV and hepatitis co-infection rises with age except for hepatitis C. There was no significant difference in the mean levels of liver enzymes (AST, ALT) among the various groups. The groups differ significantly in their mean CD4 count: it was lowest for those coinfected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C; 106 cells/mm 3 , 171 cells/mm 3 for those with HIV alone; and the highest value of 260cells/mm 3 was obtained in those who tested positive for anti-HCV. Scarification marks and multiple blood transfusions were more common among those infected. There was no case of intravenous drug abuse identified. Conclusion: This low frequency of HIV/HCV co-infection is probably due to the uncommon intravenous drug abuse in this population. Coinfection with hepatitis B virus is common among our HIV-infected patients and should be a major consideration in the initiation and choice of therapy.

Client’s Satisfaction with Waiting Time in HIV Treatment Centers: An Urban Rural Comparison in Anambra State, Nigeria

“…This is similar to the findings in an HIV treatment center in Enugu, Nigeria [29,30]. Also in other HIV treatment centers in Nigeria [31][32][33]. This may be due to the higher prevalence of HIV among females in Nigeria than males, as reported in the 2012 National HIV and AIDS and Reproductive Health survey (NARHS 2012) conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health [34].…”

“…Majority of the respondents in this study were married (56.2%) this is similar to the findings of a study done in Enugu [30] and a study done at Ibadan [31]. This is dissimilar to the 2010 National HIV Seroprevalence sentinel survey which reported that the prevalence of HIV was higher among the single women than the married [35].…”

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Coinfections in an Adult HIV Centre Population in Gaborone, Botswana

“…24 Studies from Nigeria and Tanzania in outpatient HIV clinics showed widely varying rates of 2.3% and 18.1%, respectively. 11,12 Additionally, a Botswana study at a major urban hospital showed a HCV coinfection rate of 0%. 17 The Botswana-Baylor Children's Clinical Center of Excellence (BCOE) is a national HIV/AIDS care and treatment facility that provides services in Gaborone, Botswana for HIV-infected children from around the country.…”

Prevalence and Factors Associated with HIV and Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Co Infection in Children Attended at the Hubert Koutoukou Maga National University Teaching Hospital (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou

“…The factors associated with co-infection in this study were history of blood transfusion, lack of immunization against hepatitis B, and duration of ART lower than five years. Other authors have also identified blood transfusion as associated with co-infection in Benin and Nigeria [22,23]. We can assume with the results in Table 5 that HIV infected children with history of blood transfusion are running 2.64 times risk of hepatitis.…”