Prevalence of HCV coinfection in HIV-infected individuals in Nigeria and characterization of HCV genotypes.
BACKGROUND
Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in individuals infected with HIV is associated with a higher incidence of liver injury, hepatic decompensation, and decreased survival time than that seen in an HIV-monoinfected population. While prevalence studies on HIV/HCV coinfection have been performed in the U.S. and in some European countries, little is known about coinfection rates in Africa.


METHODS
Retrospectively collected specimens from 146 confirmed HIV-positive individuals in Nigeria who had access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) were tested for HCV RNA, using the VERSANT HCV RNA qualitative assay (TMA), and, if HCV RNA-positive, for HCV genotype using the VERSANT HCV genotype assay (LiPA).


RESULTS
Twelve out of the 146 individuals tested (8.2%) were HCV positive. Nine of the 12 HCV-positive individuals were infected with HCV genotype 1 (five 1a, three 1b, one non-subtypable) and three were infected with HCV genotype 2 (all non-subtypable). Coinfected individuals were more likely to be male, older, and have lower CD4+ cell counts than HIV-monoinfected individuals, although none of the differences reached statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
The results highlight the potential public health impact of HCV infection in Nigeria, where anti-HCV testing is generally not performed in HIV-infected populations or in most blood transfusion centers.
Agwale
Simon M
SM
Gede AIDS and Infectious Diseases Research Institute, 9 Zaire Crescent, Maitama, PMB 5158 Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria.
Tanimoto
Lorine
L
Womack
Chad
C
Odama
Lillian
L
Leung
Kimmy
K
Duey
Dolores
D
Negedu-Momoh
Ruth
R
Audu
Israel
I
Mohammed
Shehu B
SB
Inyang
Uford
U
Graham
Barney
B
Ziermann
Rainer
R
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D012367:RNA, Viral