ISSN 2756-3812
International Journal of Medical Advances and Discoveries ISSN 2756-3812 Vol. 4 (3), pp. 001-006, March, 2013. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research paper
Epidemiology of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among HIV-Positive Patients in a Tertiary Health Facility in North Eastern Nigeria
Ballah Akawu Denue1*, Babajide Ajayi2, Abubakar Usman Abja3, Abubakar Abdullahi Bukar4, Cecilia Akawu5, Ernest Ekong6 and Mohammed Bashir Alkali7
1Department of Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
2Department of Immunology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
3Department of Haematology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
4Department of Haematology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
5Department of Geography University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
6AIDS Preventive Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), Nigeria.
7Department of Medicine University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
Accepted 06 December, 2012
Abstract
Co-infection of hepatotropic virus(es), with HIV has been associated with a reduced survival rate, an increased risk of progression to severe liver disease, and an increased risk of hepatotoxicity associated with active antiretroviral therapy. Information regarding prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection with HIV in Nigeria is limited. This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the impact of co-infection on baseline serum alanine transaminase (ALT), CD4+ T lymphocyte (CD4) count, and plasma HIV-RNA (viral load) in a cohort of HIV-infected Nigerians. Patients confirmed to be positive for HIV infection by Western blot analysis were consecutively recruited into the study from Infectious Disease Clinic, General Out-patient Department and Medical Wards of University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Demographic data and pre-treatment laboratory results (hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV antibodies (anti-HCV), ALT, CD4 count and viral load) were analysed. A total of 569 HIV-infected patients (male: female ratio, 1:1.4) were consecutively recruited. HBsAg was present in 12.3%; anti- HCV in 0.5% and both markers was not present in any patients. HBsAg prevalence was 12.3% in both male and females, while anti-HCV was detected in 0.8% in males and 0.3% females. HIV-infected patients alone had a higher mean baseline CD4 count compared to those without anti- HCV or HBsAg (181 vs. 117 cells/mm3, respectively; p = 0.01). Serum ALT was higher among patients co-infected with HBsAg or anti-HCV than only HIV infected (37 vs. 34 International Units (IU), respectively p = 0.1). The high frequency of HBsAg confirms the need for routine screening for these markers in HIV-infected patients in our setting. CD4 count was significantly lower, in patients with prior exposure to hepatitis B or C, while ALT was slightly higher among those positive for HBV or C infection. These findings are pointer to the importance of testing for HBV and HCV in all HIV-infected persons in our setting.
Key words: Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, CD4, HIV.