Viral hepatitis B and C in HIV-infected patients in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESHepatitis B and C are among the leading causes of death in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Prevalence data on viral hepatitis B and C in HIV-infected people in the region of Middle East and North Africa are scarce. We report the prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C in HIV-infected patients in Saudi Arabia.DESIGN AND SETTINGSData on all HIV patients who attended HIV Program at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were kept longitudinally. For the purpose of this report, patients enrolled in the Program between January 1985 and December 2010 were included.METHODSData on all HIV patients who received HIV care at age 18 and older between January 1985 and December 2010 were collected. Data were collected from patients’ charts at our medical records department and electronically from the electronic health records and HIV database. We excluded patients who were deceased prior to completing work-up, lost follow-up, or acquired HIV perinatally.RESULTSAmong 341 HIV-infected patients, hepatitis C infection was found in 41 (12%) patients. The commonest risk factor for hepatitis C virus and HIV acquisition was blood/blood product transfusion in 24 (60%) patients, of these 21 (88%) were hemophiliacs, followed by heterosexual transmission in 9 (22%) patients. The commonest genotype was genotype 1 observed in 18 patients (44%) followed by genotype 4 in 6 (15%) patients. Hepatitis B surface antigen was found in 11 (3%) patients. The commonest risk factor for hepatitis B virus and HIV acquisition was heterosexual transmission in 8 (73%) patients, followed by blood/blood product transfusion in 2 (18%) patients.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus infections are, respectively,10 and 20 times higher among HIV-infected patients than in the general population.

Co‐infection assessment in HBV, HCV, and HIV patients in Western Saudi Arabia

“…When examining the group with HIV as the primary diagnosis, our analysis revealed that while proportion of patients with an unknown coinfection status is lowest among the three groups, the prevalence of HBV coinfection is higher (8.5% vs. 2.8%) than that of HCV. These results are more or less consistent with studies from central region of Saudi Arabia by Alhuraiji et al [2014] but are not in agreement with data from Europe and USA, where the prevalence of HCV is higher than that of HBV in HIV patients. Alhuraiji et al [2014] reported a 12% prevalence of HBV and a 3% prevalence of HCV coinfections in HIV patients.…”

“…These results are more or less consistent with studies from central region of Saudi Arabia by Alhuraiji et al [2014] but are not in agreement with data from Europe and USA, where the prevalence of HCV is higher than that of HBV in HIV patients. Alhuraiji et al [2014] reported a 12% prevalence of HBV and a 3% prevalence of HCV coinfections in HIV patients. Comparable results were reported in Sub-Saharan Africa, with 15% versus 7% of HBV and HCV coinfections in HIV patients, respectively [Barth et al, 2010].…”

Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in the Arabian Gulf countries: Systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence

“…HCV prevalence among HCWs ranged from 0% to 3.2%. Two studies reported HCV prevalence in populations with sexually transmitted diseases, reporting a high prevalence of 12% 28 and 15.9%. 29 High HCV prevalence was observed among special clinical populations.…”

Knowledge and Practices of Beauty Shop Workers Regarding Blood-Borne Diseases in Abha and Khamis Mushait: A Cross-Sectional Study.

“…Moreover, Hepatitis B virus is the leading cause of chronic liver disease specifically cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (Alhuraiji et al, 2014). The virus is considered endemic in Asia and Africa which were shown to have majority of the cases (Hoffmann and Thio, 2007).…”

“…According to Alhuraiji et al (2014), HBV and HCV are among the leading causes of death in HIV-infected patients. They represent significant public health concerns in the HIV population The prevalence of HBV and HCV in HIV infections are 10-20 times higher than the general population (Sulkowski, 2003).…”