Long term immunological perturbations post DAA therapy in chronic HCV/HIV co-infected patients

Direct-acting antiviral(DAA)therapies are efficacious for the achievement of sustained virologic response(SVR)in almost all treated hepatitis C virus(HCV)-infected patients.However,the impacts of HCV eradication on immune function and chronic immune activation in the long-term remain controversial and limited,especially in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV).Indeed,although restoration of many immune responses clearly can be observed,several features of immune perturbations persist over time after HCV clearance.Understanding the degree and reasons of the partial recovery of the immune system in chronic HCV/HIV coinfection after HCV elimination is pivotal to avoid disease progression and possible long-term clinical outcomes in cured patients,as well as contributing to the development of immunotherapy drug design.

Studies on the allostimulatory function of dendritic cells from HCV-HIV-1 co-infected patients

There is increasing recognition of the potential morbidity and mortality associated with HIV-1 and hepatitis C (HCV)co-infection. HIV appears to adversely affect HCV disease while the reciprocal effect of HCV on HIV remains controversial.We therefore studied the effect of co-infection on dendritic cell function versus HIV infection alone, as previous work has shown that HCV impairs dendritic cell (DC) function. HIV-1 positive individuals with HCV were matched for CD4count, HIV- 1 RNA viral load and therapy, to HIV- 1 positive patients without HCV. Monocyte-derived DC were generated and mixed leukocyte reactions were performed. We assessed allostimulatory capacity with and without administration of exogenous Thl cytokines, using thymidine uptake and cell division analyses with the vital dye CFSE. We found that monocyte-derived DC from co-infected individuals showed no significant differences in allostimulatory capacity to ex vivo generated DC from HIV-1 infected individuals without HCV. Unlike the situation with HCV infection alone, this impairment was not reversed by increasing concentrations of either interleukin-2 or -12. Monocyte-derived DC from HIV-1 and HCV co-infected individuals have a similar allostimulatory capacity to DC from matched patients with HIV-1alone. These findings are compatible with results of prior clinical studies that found no evidence that HCV co-infection altered HIV disease progression and has implications for immunotherapeutic approaches in co-infected individuals.

Elevated Linoleic Acid (A Pro-Inflammatory PUFA) and Liver Injury in a Treatment Naive HIV-HCV Co-Infected Alcohol Dependent Patient

HIV and HCV co-infection is a unique disease condition, and medical management of such condition is difficult due to severity and systemic complications. Added with heavy alcohol drinking, risk of liver injury increases due to several pro-inflammatory responses that subsequently get involved with alcohol metabolism. Elevated levels of fatty acids have been reported both in viral infections as well as alcoholic liver disease though such investigations have not addressed the adverse event with dual viral infection of HIV and HCV along with heavy drinking. This case report of a patient with excessive alcohol drinking and first time diagnosis of HIV and HCV dual infection, elaborating concurrent alteration in Linoleic Acid (LA) levels and pro-inflammatory shift in ω-6/ω-3 ratio along with the elevations in liver injury markers. Elevated LA has been recently studied extensively for its role in alcoholic liver disease;and in the present case, we also found it to be clinically relevant to liver injury.

Clinical, Biological, Immunological and Therapeutic Profile of Patients Co-Infected with HIV-HBV and/or HCV in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objective: HIV infection is often associated with HBV and HCV infection, together leading to high morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical, biological, immunological and therapeutic profile of patients co-infected with HIV-HBV and/or HCV. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study including 180 people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in the city of Kinshasa province was conducted. Socio-demographic, clinical, biological and serological characteristics were analyzed. Results: The frequency of HIV-HBV/HCV co-infection was 23.9%. The distribution of age and sex of patients did not differ significantly according to co-infection status. The notion of pedicure and manicure was significantly more observed in patients free from viral hepatitis (51.1% versus 32.6%, p = 0.034). The median duration of knowledge of the HIV status which was longer in the co-infected (4 years versus 2 years, p = 0.022). A lower median level of GPT was observed in co-infected compared to other patients (14 IU/L versus 20 IU/L, p = 0.041). Serum albumin (3.1 g/L versus 3.3 g/L, p = 0.034) and prothrombin (58.3% versus 65.6%, p = 0.045) were lower in HIV co-infected-VHB and/or VHC. The median INR was higher in co-infected than in other patients (1.6 versus 1.4;p = 0.009). Patients without therapy Antiretroviral (TARV) medication were more numerous in co-infected (20.9% versus 8.0%, p = 0.025). Conclusions: The profile of PLWHIV was dominated by the presence of pedicures and manicures with high transaminases and without anti-viral treatment.

云南595例HIV/HCV共感染者的HCV基因型及临床特征分析

目的 分析云南省传染病医院抗病毒门诊595例HIV/HCV共感染者的HCV基因型及临床特征,为HIV/HCV防治提供参考。方法 选取2022年1月~2023年7月在云南省传染病医院抗病毒门诊就诊的HIV/AIDS患者为研究对象,采用横断面研究,收集患者基本信息,检测HCV抗体、HCV RNA、HCV基因型、生化指标,并进行分析。结果 筛查5709例HIV/AIDS患者,HCV抗体阳性率10.42%(595/5709),HCV RNA检测率86.72%(516/595),HCV RNA阳性率47.09%(243/516)。95.47%HCV RNA阳性完成HCV基因检测,其中各型占比为:1b型(14.66%)、2a型(0.86%)、3a型(27.59%)、3b型(40.95%)、6型(14.66%)、未分型(1.29%)。HCV RNA阳性者中FIB-4评分> 3.25为37.86%。不同感染途径的HIV/HCV共感染者丙肝基因分型差异有统计学意义(P <0.05),基因分型为3a、3b的FIB-4指数均高于其他基因型,两两比较差异均有统计学意义(均P <0.05)。结论 HIV/AIDS患者中HCV抗体、HCV RNA阳性率较高,HCV基因型以3b型、3a型为主要流行株,发生进展性肝脏纤维化占比较高。在HIV/AIDS患者中进行HCV感染的筛查对早期诊断及早期治疗丙型肝炎具有重要意义。

HIV and HCV:from Co-infection to Epidemiology,Transmission,Pathogenesis,and Treatment

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the infectious agent causing acquired immu-nodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),a deadliest scourge of human society. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of chronic liver disease and infects an estimated 170 million people worldwide,resulting in a serious public health burden. Due to shared routes of transmission,co-infection with HIV and HCV has become common among individuals who had high risks of blood exposures. Among hemophiliacs the co-infection rate accounts for 85%; while among injection drug users (IDU) the rate can be as high as 90%. HIV can accelerate the progression of HCV-related liver disease,particularly when immunodeficiency has developed. Although the effect of HCV on HIV infection is controversial,most studies showed an increase in mortality due to liver disease. HCV may act as a direct cofactor to fasten the progression of AIDS and decrease the tolerance of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HARRT). Conversely,HAART-related hepatotoxicity may enhance the progression of liver fibrosis. Due to above complications,co-infection with HCV and HIV-1 has imposed a critical challenge in the management of these patients. In this review,we focus on the epidemiology and transmission of HIV and HCV,the impact of the two viruses on each other,and their treatment.

HIV和HCV共感染患者基于含依非韦伦方案抗HIV下直接抗HCV治疗的疗效和安全性

目的评价人类免疫缺陷病毒(human immunodeficiency virus,HIV)和丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis C virus,HCV)共感染患者基于含依非韦伦(Efavirenz,EFV)方案抗HIV下直接抗HCV治疗的疗效和安全性。方法选取2020年1月至2023年9月梧州市第三人民医院感染科收治的基于含EFV方案抗HIV下索磷布韦维帕他韦直接抗HCV治疗的HIV和HCV共感染患者21例,疗程12周,停药随访12周,分析患者基线特征,比较治疗前后白细胞、血红蛋白、血小板、肝肾功能,评估患者基于抗HIV情况下直接抗HCV治疗的疗效以及停药12周病毒持续应答率和安全性。结果21例HIV和HCV共感染的患者基于含EFV方案抗HIV下,接受索磷布韦维帕他韦抗HCV治疗12周,停药随访12周,HCV病毒应答率均达到100%。与治疗前比较,患者血清丙氨酸转氨酶和天冬氨酸转氨酶水平降低(P<0.01),白细胞、血小板、血肌酐差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论HIV和HCV共感染患者基于含EFV方案抗HIV下直接抗HCV的疗效确切,未发现明显不良反应。

Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among People Living with HIV in Burkina Faso and Diagnostic Performance of HIV/HCV/HBsAg Combined Rapid Test in Comparison with Architect Assays

Background: The diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a constraint for some populations in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV in people living with HIV and to evaluate the performance of a combined rapid test for the simultaneous detection of HIV, HBV, and HCV. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that took place from February 2017 to November 2018 and included 139 HIV-infected individuals followed up at different medical centers in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. HBV and HCV serology tests were performed on-site using finger prick whole blood with HIV/HCV/HBsAg combined rapid test and then serum with two reference tests “Architect HBsAg Qualitative” and “Architect HIV Ag/Ab Combo”. Results: The mean age of the participants was 57 ± 8 years. Of the 139 participants, 10% (14/139) were HIV-1 positive, 71.9% (100/139) were HIV-2 positive, and 18.0% (25/139) were HIV-1/HIV-2 coinfected. The sensitivity and specificity of the HIV/HCV/HBsAg combined rapid test were 33.33% vs 99.11% and 20% vs 99.25% compared to Architect HBsAg Qualitative and Architect HIV Ag/Ab Combo, respectively. The Kappa and Youden Index values were 0.4262 and 0.3244 and 0.2707 and 0.1925, respectively, compared to each of the two reference tests. Conclusion: The results show that the HIV/HCV/HBsAg combined rapid test has poor diagnostic efficiency and should not be recommended for the diagnosis of these viruses.

Progression of Platelet Counts in Treatment Naïve HIV/HCV Co-Infection

Background: Previous research has suggested an association between infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) or with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and low platelet counts. This study estimates platelet count changes over time in HIV/HCV co-infected participants and compares them with the changes in platelet count among HIV mono-infected participants to test if HIV/HCV co-infection is associated with lower platelet counts. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all HIV treatment naive patients from four sites in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) cohort with platelet count measurements between 2002 and 2009. We conducted a mixed effects linear regression modeling the mean change in platelet count per year while adjusting for age, sex, race, baseline CD4 cell count, and site. Index date was the first platelet count after 2002, and participants were censored upon initiation of treatment for HIV or HCV. Results: There were 929 HIV/HCV co-infected and 3558 HIV mono-infected participants with a mean follow-up time of 1.2 years. HIV/HCV co-infected participants had on average a slighter lower platelet count at baseline (234,040 vs. 242,780/μL;p-value = 0.004), and a more rapid mean reduction per year (7230 vs. 3580/μL;p-value 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, baseline CD4 count. Conclusions: In treatment naive participants, HIV/HCV co-infection is associated with a more rapid decline in platelet count compared with HIV mono-infection.

Socio-Demographic and Occupational Aspects of HIV-HBV Co-Infection in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR): Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: HIV-HBV co-infection is a major public health problem that has not been sufficiently explored in the Central African workplace. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of HIV-HBV co-infection among people who living with HIV (PLHIV) in the infectious and tropical diseases department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de lAmiti Sino-Centrafricaine in Bangui. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2021 in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department at the Amiti Sino-Centrafricaine University Hospital. It included the files of all PLHIV, which included the results of HBV serology. A standardized form was used to collect socio-demographic and professional data by documentary review. Data was analysed using Epi-Info 7 software. Means, proportions were calculated as well as Chi square witch was significant if p-value was below 0.05. Results: The study included 265 patients, 188 were women (70.1%) and 77 men (29.1%), giving a sex ratio of 0.45. Mean age was 35.8 years, higher in men (40 years) than in women (35.8 years) (p 0.0001). The age groups 25 to 34 (37.7%) and 35 to 44 (33.6%) were in the majority (71.3%). The majority of PLHIV were unemployed (57.1%), including housewives (43.0%). HBV prevalence was 14.3%, including 7.2% among the unemployed, who account for half of all co-infections. The search for associations between HIV-HBV co-infection and all socio-demographic characteristics (age, sex, marital status) and socio-professional categories showed no significant difference (p 0.05). Conclusion: PLHIV were predominantly young adults, female, and unemployed;no occupation was significantly associated with co-infection. The vast majority of co-infected people were not covered by the occupational health system (unemployed or informal sector). Urgent action is needed to improve workers access to occupational medicine in CAR.

HIV/HCV双感患者病毒载量与生化指标研究

目的:探讨HIV/HCV双感患者与HIV/AIDS患者病毒载量、生化指标之间的差异,以及与HIV单纯感染者HCV病毒载量(HCV-RNA)之间的关系,分析病毒载量与细胞免疫水平及生化指标间相关性,为HIV/HCV共感染的临床诊断、治疗提供依据。方法:收集伊宁市传染病医院2023年入院的HIV/AIDS感染者、HCV感染者、HIV/HCV双感患者血清样本,检测丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBIL)等生化指标;采用流式细胞术对CD4+T淋巴细胞进行计数,采用PCR技术检测HCV-RNA及HIV-RNA。结果:共收集HIV/AIDS感染者、HCV感染者和HIV/HCV共感染者及正常人群共481例,其中HIV/AIDS感染组192例,HCV感染组162例,HIV/HCV共感染组111例,正常对照组16例。HIV/HCV组的HIV-RNA检出率(51.35%)高于HIV组(25.52%)(P<0.001),HCV-RNA检出率高于HCV组(P<0.001),CD4+T淋巴细胞水平低于HIV/AIDS感染组(P<0.001),ALT和AST均极显著高于对照组、HIV组、HCV组(P<0.001),HIV病毒载量与CD4+T淋巴细胞计数及ALT、AST、GGT水平未存在相关性(P>0.05),与CD4+T%存在负相关性(P<0.05),HCV病毒载量与ALT、AST、GGT水平均存在正相关性(P<0.05),而HIV病毒载量与HCV病毒载量间未存在相关性(P=0.145)。结论:HCV感染机体后,ALT、AST、GGT等肝功能指标异常增高,HIV/HCV共感染后机体免疫抑制加重,免疫功能更加低下,肝脏的损伤严重,机体对HIV及HCV病毒的复制控制能力下降。

Analysis of causes for liver function deteriora-tion in patients with HIV/HCV co-infection

BACKGROUND:Co-infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 ( HIV-1 ) is common in hemophiliacs and drug abusers. To assess the interaction between HIV and HCV disease progression, we examined 82 HIV/HCV co-infection patients and 62 HCV infection patients. METHODS: Liver function, pathological changes, infec- tion duration, immune function and qualitative HCV-RNA and HCV antibody were compared retrospectively between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Fourty-eight patients (58.5%) in the HIV/ HCV co-infection group and 53 patients (85.5%) in the HCV infection group showed abnormal liver function. No significant difference was observed in inflammation and fi- brosis in the two groups P =0.187, 0.954). However, liver abnormality in the patients with HIV/HCV co-infection appeared 8 years earlier than in those with HCV infection alone (P<0.001). As to immune function, the counts of CD4+T and CD8+ T in the HIV/HCV group were (226.35 ± 173.49)×106/L and (914. 40 ±448. 28)×106/L, whereas in the HCV group they were (752.31±251.69)×l06/L and (529.011170.67)×106/L respectively. The difference in the two groups was highly significant (P<0.001; P<0.001). The ratio of the number of people with both HCV-RNA and HCV antibody positive to the number of HCV-RNA positive and HCV antibody negative in the HIV/HCV group was 52:9, whereas in the HCV group it was 44:1 (P = 0.043). CONCLUSION: HIV/HCV co-infection can accelerate de- terioration of hepatitis C, which may be due to the effect of HIV on cellular immunity and humoral immunity of the body.

Analysis of Tuberculosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in HIV/TB Co-infected Patients During HAART

Objectives To investigate the clinical features of tuberculosis(TB)-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome(TB-IRIS) in patients co-infected with HIV/TB or latent infection during highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART).Methods HIV-infected patients treated in the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, China between March 2012 and March 2013 were recruited, and divided into 3 groups: 1) HIV/TB co-infection group(n = 50), 2) HIV/MTB latent infection group(n = 50), and 3) HIV infection group(n = 50), with 12-month follow-up. Patients in the HIV/TB co-infection group were treated with HAART 2 weeks after TB therapy. Patients were assessed at different time-points.Results The incidence and mortality rates of TB-IRIS were 40% and 10% in the HIV/TB co-infected patients, and 2%(and no mortality) in the HIV/MTB group. The HIV infected group did not display TB-IRIS or death. About 95% HIV/TB co-infected patients were 20-39 years old when TB-IRIS occurred, and 65% of the patients developed TB-IRIS 2 weeks after HAART. For the co-infection group, those with TB-IRIS(20/20, 100%) had fever, with a significantly higher incidence than those who did not develop TB-IRIS(6.7%, 2/30, P < 0.05). The patients with TB-IRIS in co-infection group displayed markedly higher clinical biochemical markers, acute phase reactants, increased CD4+ cell counts, and 2 log10-decreases of HIV RNA loads, compared with the patients not presenting with TB-IRIS(P < 0.05). Conclusion HIV/TB co-infected patients presented with a high-risk of developing TB-IRIS during HAART treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment could decrease mortality rates in TB-IRIS.

Antioxidant activity in HIV and malaria co-infected subjects in Anambra State,southeastern Nigeria

Objective:To determine the antioxidant status of HIV and malaria co-infected participants. Methods:Blood samples collected from the 193 randomly recruited participants were used for HIV screening,Plasmodium falciparum antigen screening,malaria parasite density count, CD4^+ T cell count,glutathione reductase,glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant status measurement.Standard laboratory methods were used for the analysis.Results:The results showed that glutathione reductase,glutathione peroxidase,total antioxidant status and CD4^+ T cell count were significantly lowered in symptomatic HIV participants with and without malaria co-infection(P【0.01) in each case compared with control participants.Also,glutathione reductase,glutathione peroxidise,total antioxidant status and CD4^+ T cell count were significantly lowered in asymptomatic HIV participants with and without malaria co-infection(P【0.05) in each case,compared with control participants without malaria.Similarly,these antioxidants were significandy lowered in control participants with malaria infection(P【0.05) compared with control participants without malaria.The malaria parasite density in symptomatic HIV infected participants was negatively associated with glutathione reductase(r = -0.906,P【0.01),glutathione peroxidase(r = -0.719,P【0.01) and total antioxidant status(r = -0.824,P【0.01).Conclusions: The antioxidant activity was affected in HIV infected participants with malaria co-infeclion. Malaria co-infeclion in HIV seems to exert additional burden on antioxidants.This calls for concern in malaria endemic areas with increasing prevalence of HIV infection.

HIV/HCV Co-Infection—A Dual Neurocognitive Problem

Presence of the hepatitis C virus in HIV infected patients has an additional neurotoxic influence on the Central Nervous System. It has been described that HCV co-infection leads to neuropsychological impairment whose severity is greater than in mono-HIV infected subjects. In the present study we assessed the neuropsychological status of 46 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals from the Warsaw Hospital for Infectious Diseases. For the purpose of cognitive assessment, neuropsychological tests measuring global cognitive functions, attention and perception, verbal memory, as well as non-verbal aspects of executive functions, e.g. visual monitoring and planning, were assessed. In 60% of the investigated patients, who were co-infected with the hepatitis C virus, the overall cognitive outcome observed was worse than in mono-HIV infected subjects. The following factors were taken into account: ART therapy’s influence on cognitive functions using the CPE rank (CNS Penetration Efficacy, 2010), route of HIV transmission, conditions of human existence and age of investigated patients. The present work should be treated as a preliminary research and interpreted in the context of several limitations described in the text.

Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV/HCV Co-Infection Italian Consensus Workshop

About 50% of people living with the HIV infection in Italy are co-infected with HCV. In this group of patients, the primary cause of mortality is liver disease, which accounts for up to 14% of deaths. HIV/HCV co-infection also exposes patients to a higher risk of progression to AIDS, a faster evolution towards cirrhosis, more frequent drug toxicity, and lower tolerance for antiretroviral therapy. Moreover, HCV infection can play a part in increasing immune system depression;neurological, cognitive and renal damage;and bone fragility. Hence an optimal antiretroviral regimen needs to be chosen for co-administration with anti-HCV therapy and timed appropriately to improve the prognosis of co-infected HIV/HCV patients. Unfortunately, however, data on the safety and efficacy of antiretroviral drugs in these patients is scarce, as are studies of pharmacokinetics in patients with advanced liver impairment. Furthermore, restoring adequate immune constitution seems not to slow the progression of liver disease, and the metabolic and hepatic toxicity of some antiretroviral drugs can even contribute to inflammatory and fibrogenic processes. It is therefore essential that HIV/HCV co-infected patients receive only medications capable of ensuring the best immune recovery but possessing the lowest potential to trigger immune reconstitution syndrome or hepatic and metabolic damage.

CD4 T-Lymphocytes Count in HIV-<i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>Co-Infected Pregnant Women Undergoing a Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a parasite responsible of toxoplasmosis, a disease often asymptomatic but with serious consequences in pregnant women and immunocompromised subjects. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of T. gondii infection on CD4+ T lymphocytes count in HIV-infected pregnant women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of pregnant women co-infected by HIV and T. gondii. The study was conducted from January to July 2016 at the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) sites in the Health District of Lacs in Togo. Diagnosis of HIV was performed by immuno-chromatographic methods with Determine TM HIV-1/2 and immuno-filtration with Tri-Dot HIV-1 and 2 kits. Presence of anti-toxoplasmic IgG and IgM antibodies was established via enzyme immunoassay using ELISA-BIOREX&reg;kit. Flow cytometry was used to count CD4+ T lymphocytes. Results: Our study found that of the 4599 pregnant women, 111 (2.41%) were HIV-positive. Among them, 109 (98.20%) were infected by HIV-1 and 2 (1.98%) by HIV-2. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 5.36% (IgM), 25% (IgG) and 3.57% (both IgM and IgG) of HIV 56 infected women. There was no significant difference between CD4 cell count in HIV (+)/T. gondii IgM (-)/IgG (-) infected pregnant women (378.8 ± 222.8 cell//μl) compared to HIV (+)/T. gondii/IgM (+) (457.3 ± 183.3 cell//μl), HIV (+)/T. gondii IgG (+) (419.4 ± 287.3 cell//μl) and HIV (+)/T. gondii IgM/IgG (+) (480.5 ± 252.4 cell/μl). Conclusion: This study showed that intracellular parasite T. gondii did not alter CD4+ T lymphocytes count in HIV/T. gondii co-infected pregnant women.

Characterization of TB/HIV Co-Infected Patients Receiving TB Treatment at a DOTS Clinic, in a Tertiary Hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a specific infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis while acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a fatal illness caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Both of them constitute the main burden of infectious public health disease in many parts of the world, particularly in resource limited countries like Nigeria. This study sets out to describe TB/HIV co-infected patients accessing care at the DOTS clinic in a tertiary hospital in South-Eastern Nigeria. Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively at the DOTS clinic of NAUTH Nnewi. A structured proforma was used to extract specific characteristics of TB/HIV co-infected patients who received TB treatment for the period of 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS version 20. Results: Ninety eight patients (40.6%) were TB/HIV co-infected, out of the two hundred and forty one patients treated for tuberculosis in the DOTS clinic during the period under review. These were the findings among the TB/HIV co-infected patients: there were more females (51%) than males (49%);the commonest age group affected was the group 30 - 39 years (34.7%);majority of the patients (91.8%) had pulmonary TB as against extrapulmonary TB (8.2%) and most of the patients had negative sputum AFB result (43.9%) as against those with positive result (36.7%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated some important characteristics of TB/HIV co-infected patients. Such knowledge if taken into consideration in both the tuberculosis control and HIV control programs will improve the outcomes of the programs.

我国5城市合格献血者血液HIV及HCV残余风险研究

目的研究我国献血者血液HIV及HCV残余风险;评估我国开展血液核酸检测(NAT)的可行性和必要性。方法采集乌鲁木齐、昆明、北京、广州、杭州5城市献血者血样,用Chiron Procleix HIV-1/HCV Assay血液核酸检测体系,对各项血清学筛查均合格的89 467份血液作16人份混合血样NAT检测,凡筛查不合格血样再作单人份检测;对于抗-HCV阴性而HCV RNA NAT阳性者,用备用管作抗-HCV、ALT、及HCV RNA NAT复检。结果共检出HCV RNA NAT阳性但抗-HCV EIA阴性标本3例,未检出HIV RNA NAT阳性但抗-HIV EIA阴性标本;在87 034份血清学筛查合格献血者中,检出HCV NAT阳性2例,其中1例复检ALT为254U/L,未检出HIVNAT阳性;在2 613份血清学筛查不合格者中,检出1例HCV NAT阳性但抗-HCV EIA阴性标本,该献血者抗-HIV阳性、ALT 372U/L;未检出HIV NAT阳性但抗-HIV EIA阴性的标本。结论血清学筛查使我国的血液安全性已有相当高的保障;而NAT技术可进一步提高血液的安全性,但在我国是否可应用于常规血液筛查,需考虑成本与效益比。此外,ALT筛查对排除抗-HCV漏检血液仍有一定的作用。

海南省吸毒人员吸毒方式与HIV、HCV、HBV和梅毒感染调查分析

采用血清流行病学方法和行为问卷对 3市县戒毒所5 1 4名吸毒人员进行调查。结果 :单纯口吸者占 6 6 1 5 % ,静脉注射吸毒者占 33 85 % ,共用注射器占静脉吸毒者 2 4 71 % ,检出抗HIV、抗HCV、HBsAg和梅毒阳性率分别为 0 1 95 %、2 9 6 7%、2 2 85 %、7 0 3%。表明 :吸毒者是 4种传染病感染的高危人群 ,静脉 (共用针具 )吸毒方式对HIV、HCV感染较HBV。