Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and hepatitis C virus Co‐infection and viral subtypes at an HIV testing center in Brazil

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing sites have been recognized recently as potential settings for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening since both viruses share common routes of transmission. HIV and HCV prevalence, predictors, co-infection rates, and viral subtypes were studied in 592 attendants at an anonymous HIV Counseling and Testing Center in central Brazil. Anti-HIV-1 and -HCV antibodies were screened by ELISA, and Western blots were used to confirm HIV infection. Among HIV-seropositive samples, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested-PCR were used to subtype HIV-1 by the Heteroduplex Mobility Analysis (HMA) and HCV by the line probe assay (INNO-LiPA). HIV and HCV seroprevalence was 3.2% (95% CI 2.0-4.9) and 2.5% (95% CI 1.5-4.0), respectively. Intravenous drug use was the risk factor most strongly associated with both HIV and HCV infections, even in a population with few intravenous drug users (n = 6); incarceration was also associated with HCV. HIV/AIDS-positive sexual partner and homosexual/bisexual behaviors were associated independently with HIV-1. The prevalence of HCV infection among HIV-positive persons was 42% (95% CI 20-66), higher than in HIV-negative persons (1.2%; 95% CI 0.5-2.5). HIV-1 subtype B was identified in the env and gag regions of the genome. HCV subtype 3a predominated among co-infected persons and one HCV subtype 1a was detected. Overall, a similar prevalence of HIV and HCV infections and a higher prevalence of HCV among HIV-positive persons were observed. Integrated HIV and HCV screening at HIV testing sites may represent a unique opportunity to provide diagnosis and prevention strategies at a single visit.

Genetic diversity of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-co-infected patients from Venezuela

“…However, no difference was observed for HCV infection between patients co-infected with HIV-1 and the Venezuelan general population (Aguilar et al, 2001). In contrast, HCV infection appears to be more frequent in HIV-1-infected patients in Brazil (Pereira et al, 2006). Sexual intercourse is known to be more efficient for HBV transmission than for HCV (Cainelli, 2013).…”

HIV-1 pol phylogenetic diversity and antiretroviral resistance mutations in treatment naïve patients from Central West Brazil

“…6 An increase in the relative proportion of HIV-1 non-subtype B was observed. The current analysis of HIV-1 pol gene showed 6 3,[42][43][44]6 Our study describes the first subtype C sequences from inland Brazil which formed a monophyletic cluster with other subtype C sequences from south and southeast. This study confirms the spread of HIV-1 subtype C, which predominates in the Brazilian south region, inland towards the north region.…”

Genotypic distribution of hepatitis C among hepatitis C and HIV co-infected patients in Brazil

“…7 -10 Not only that, but our study reproduced the findings of most other studies in co-infected patients, originating from Europe, which indicated a higher prevalence of genotype 1, followed by genotype 3. 15 -18 In Brazil, Pereira et al 19 studied co-infected patients who were mostly IDUs and identified genotype 3 as the most common in this population.…”