International Journal of
Medicine and Medical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Med. Med. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9723
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJMMS
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 534

Full Length Research Paper

A survey of hepatitis B and C virus prevalence in human immunodeficiency virus positive patients in a tertiary health institution in North Eastern Nigeria

Ballah Akawu Denue
  • Ballah Akawu Denue
  • Department of Medicine, University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
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Babajide Ajayi
  • Babajide Ajayi
  • Department of Immunology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
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Abubakar Usman Abja
  • Abubakar Usman Abja
  • Department of Haematology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
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Abubakar Abdullahi Bukar
  • Abubakar Abdullahi Bukar
  • Department of Haematology University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
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Cecilia Akawu
  • Cecilia Akawu
  • Department of Geography University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State Nigeria.
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Ernest Ekong
  • Ernest Ekong
  • AIDS Preventive Initiative in Nigeria (APIN), Nigeria.
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Mohammed Bashir Alkali
  • Mohammed Bashir Alkali
  • Department of Medicine University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
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  •  Accepted: 26 December 2011
  •  Published: 26 January 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