Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) share common risk factors and HBV occurs in people with HIV resulting in an increased risk for HIV/HBV co-infection. Globally, hepatitis B virus infection...Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) share common risk factors and HBV occurs in people with HIV resulting in an increased risk for HIV/HBV co-infection. Globally, hepatitis B virus infection is of serious public health causing morbidity and mortality. The increasing incidence of liver diseases caused by HBV is emerging as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected individuals. A clearer knowledge of HBV prevalence in Kogi State is important in order to educate, inform the population and control epidemics through extensive vaccination and treatment programme. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B infection and to evaluate molecularly HBV infection among HIV seropositive individuals. Sera samples were obtained from 218 consented HIV participants and screened for HBsAg using the commercial membrane based rapid qualitative test kit and real-time PCR was performed using Tianlong to assay the virus quantitatively. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patient’s demographic variables and risk factors for HBV transmission. Overall, 17 of the participants were seropositive to HBsAg. There was a significant difference between the age distribution with (P-value = 0.006) and marital status with (P-value = 0.044). Type of marriage, occupation, place of residence and risk factors associated with HIV and HBV co-infection do not show significant differences. A total of 17 HBsAg positive samples were subjected to viral load analysis, out of which 7 were highly unsuppressed, 5 were suppressed while the remaining 5 were undetectable. This study confirmed a moderately high HIV/HBV co-infection rate (7.8%). The highly unsuppressed viral load obtained from the study is a potential risk for Hepatocellular carcinoma among the study population. Enlightenment programme on routes of virus acquisition with a view to reducing the morbidity and mortality of HIV/HBV co-infection should be intensified.展开更多
文摘Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) share common risk factors and HBV occurs in people with HIV resulting in an increased risk for HIV/HBV co-infection. Globally, hepatitis B virus infection is of serious public health causing morbidity and mortality. The increasing incidence of liver diseases caused by HBV is emerging as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected individuals. A clearer knowledge of HBV prevalence in Kogi State is important in order to educate, inform the population and control epidemics through extensive vaccination and treatment programme. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B infection and to evaluate molecularly HBV infection among HIV seropositive individuals. Sera samples were obtained from 218 consented HIV participants and screened for HBsAg using the commercial membrane based rapid qualitative test kit and real-time PCR was performed using Tianlong to assay the virus quantitatively. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on patient’s demographic variables and risk factors for HBV transmission. Overall, 17 of the participants were seropositive to HBsAg. There was a significant difference between the age distribution with (P-value = 0.006) and marital status with (P-value = 0.044). Type of marriage, occupation, place of residence and risk factors associated with HIV and HBV co-infection do not show significant differences. A total of 17 HBsAg positive samples were subjected to viral load analysis, out of which 7 were highly unsuppressed, 5 were suppressed while the remaining 5 were undetectable. This study confirmed a moderately high HIV/HBV co-infection rate (7.8%). The highly unsuppressed viral load obtained from the study is a potential risk for Hepatocellular carcinoma among the study population. Enlightenment programme on routes of virus acquisition with a view to reducing the morbidity and mortality of HIV/HBV co-infection should be intensified.
