Hepatitis B and C viruses co-infection with Human Immodeficiency Virus (HIV) in infected patients at UITH, Ilorin

Abstract

One hundred and two (102) HIV infected patients at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, were screened for markers of HBV and HCV in order to determine the prevalences of co-infection, and were compared to those in blood donors. The diagnosis of HIV infection was made on the basis of reactivity with two different ELIZA reagents and low CD4 Cell Count. The marker for HBV was Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), and screening was done with the Latex Test by BIOTEC Laboratories, Soffolk, U.K. The marker for HCV was anti-HCV antiboby and screening was done with a third generation ELIZA by DIA.PRO Diagnostic, Milano, Italy. HBV was found in 16% and 30.4% of blood donors and HIV infected patients, respectively. HCV was found in 0.6% of blood donors, but not in any of the 96 HIV infected patients. The frequency of HBV among HIV patients was significantly higher than it is in blood donors, while there was no difference in the frequency of HCV between blood donors and HIV infected patients. CD4 count was lower in AIDS patients with co-infection with HBV than in those without. Infection by the HIV promotes co-infection with HBV, while the presence of HBV in an HIV-infected person is associated with lower CD4 count. It is suggested that HIV infected patients who are HBsAg. positive should receive prophylactic treatment and be monitored closely for development of chronic hepatitis.

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 54 (1) 2008: pp. 8-10