title: HBV and HCV prevalence and viraemia in HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant women in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire: the ANRS 1236 study.
abstract: A retrospective survey estimating the prevalence of hepatitis viruses B (HBV) and C (HCV) was conducted on samples taken in 1,002 African pregnant women (501 diagnosed as HIV-1 positive and 501 HIV-1 negative) participating in a clinical trial program conducted in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa). Hepatitis B markers studied were HBs antigen (HBsAg), and if positive, HBe antigen/anti-HBe antibodies and HBV DNA. Two third generation (G3) HCV enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) were used for primary HCV screening. All anti-HCV antibody-positive sera were assessed further with supplementary assays (one another G3 EIA, RIBA 3.0, and HCV RNA). HCV genotypes were also determined. HBsAg was found in a similar proportion among HIV-positive (45/499, 9.0%, 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 6.6-11.9) and HIV-negative (40/498, 8.0%, 95% CI, 5.8-10.8) women (P = 0.58). The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B, based on HBV DNA positive results, was more frequent in HIV-positive women (26.7%), compared to HIV-negative women (9.4%) (P = 0.06). In the case of hepatitis C infection, after supplementary testing allowing the elimination of frequent false-positive screening results, a prevalence rate of about 1% was found, both in HIV-positive (6/501, 1.2%, 95% CI, 0.44-2.59) and HIV-negative (4/501, 0.8%, 95% CI, 0.22-2.03) women (P = 0.53). Of the 10 samples confirmed positive and assessed for HCV RNA, eight (80%) were viraemic and belonged to HCV genotypes 1 or 2. The relative high frequency of HIV/HBV coinfection in Côte d'Ivoire emphasises the need for monitoring the risk of hepatotoxicity by antiretroviral therapy in such patients. We propose an accurate and cost-efficient algorithm for HCV diagnosis in Africa.
authors.affiliation: CeDReS, Programme PAC-CI, CHU de Treichville, Abidjan, Ivory Coast. rouet@aviso.ci
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rouet
authors.forename: Marie-Laure
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chaix
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inwoley
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Msellati
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Viho
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Combe
authors.forename: Valériane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leroy
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dabis
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rouzioux
mesh_terms: D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral