The Prevalence of Dual Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C Virus (HIV/HCV) Infection in Asymptomatic Pregnant Women in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Concerted efforts have been made to combat HIV infection in Nigerian. By contrast, much less attention has been paid to hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection. These viruses have similar immuno-epidemiology.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV/HIV dual infection among 269 antenatal attendees at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in southern Nigeria. The study was prospective and cross-sectional and consisted of the analysis of the sera of the participants for anti-HCV and HIV antibodies using ELISA. The result showed that 1.86% samples were HCV antibodies positive while 8.30% were seropositive for HIV-1 antibodies. There were no cases of dual infections. The HIV positive women and their babies had antiretroviral therapy. We conclude that dual HCV/HIV infection in pregnancy in Nigeria may be uncommon but suggest multicenter studies to determine the national prevalence while initiating strategies for their prevention (Afr J Reprod Health 2009; 13[2]:97-108).