Impact of gender and age on CD4+t lymphocyte count among HIV- HBV co-infected subjects of HIV counseling and testing, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a dynamic disease and co-infection with HIV impacts directly on the outcome of HBV infection, considerably complicating its natural history, diagnosis, and management. There is a heavy burden of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and HBV co infections in many regions of the developing world, Nigeria inclusive, co-infection with HIV accelerates disease progression in both HCV and HBV and also increases the risk of antiretroviral drug associated hepatotoxicity. With an increase use and accessibility of highly active antiretroviral therapy among HIV positive patients in sub Saharan Africa, co-infection with these viruses could contribute significantly to continuing morbidity and mortality among this group of patients over the coming years.
Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the impact of gender and age on CD4+ cell count of HIV and HBV co-infected clients in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital Kano(AKTH).
Methodology: Two hundred (200) consented adults were selected for this study. The HIV status of the clients was confirmed using serial algorithm, while HBV was tested using Skytec HBsAg test kit. The study population comprised of males 73 and females 127 with ages ranging from 15 to 75 years.
Result: The results showed that 17 out of the 200 clients were positive for HIV and HBV co-infection (8.5%). The incidence of co-infection was found to be higher in the age
group 26-35 years with 8 HIV and HBV co-infected clients (47%) while the 15-25 years age group had 3 clients (18%). The 36-45 year age groups had 4 clients (23%) and the
46-55 years age group had 2 clients (12%).
Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV-HBV co-infection was higher than reports from general population. Lowered CD4 counts were seen in HIV-HBV co-infections. These
findings underscore the importance of screening all HIV positive individuals before initiating antiretroviral treatment.