Hepatitis B and C virus infections and liver function in AIDS patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg.
BACKGROUND
Impaired liver function tests and co-infection with hepatitis viruses in AIDS patients are common in western countries.


OBJECTIVE
To assess liver function and prevalence of co-infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in AIDS patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive patients with AIDS admitted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.


RESULTS
There were 52 males and 48 females aged 16 to 54 years (mean + SD: 34.6 + 7.5 years). The results of laboratory test were as follows: LFTs: bilirubin 11.8 (+15.6) mumol/l; AST: 79.6 (+/- 116.6) iu/L; alkaline phosphatase: 204.3 (+/- 237.4) i mu/L; albumin: 23.9 (+/- 6.2) g/l; CD4+ lymphocytes: 141.5 (+/- 168.6) microliters; CD8+: 666.9 (+/- 618.3) microliters; HBV - HbsAg: 6 (6%); HbsAg + eAg: 3 (3%); previous disease (Anti HBs and/or anti HBc): 35%, HCV: 1(1%).


CONCLUSIONS
Liver function tests were impaired in the majority of patients with AIDS (93%) in our setting. Evidence of previous and present HBV infection was present in 41%. This is different from what is observed in western countries (90-95%). The results also suggest that patients here acquired HBV infection while still immuno competent. HCV infection was rare.
Lodenyo
H
H
Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, South Africa.
Schoub
B
B
Ally
R
R
Kairu
S
S
Segal
I
I
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
D015415:Biomarkers