Prevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus in Thai patients: a tertiary-care-based study.
BACKGROUND
Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and HIV share the route of transmission. HBV or HCV co-infection with HIV has been associated with a reduced survival rate, an increased risk of progression to severe liver disease, and an increased risk of hepatotoxicity associated with active antiretroviral therapy. Information regarding prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection with HIV in Thailand is limited.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of prevalence and risk factors of HBV and HCV co-infection in HIV-infected patients was conducted. All HIV-infected patients who were cared for in March 2003 at Ramathibodi Hospital were included.


RESULTS
There were 529 HIV-infected patients with a mean age of 36.7 years and 56.5% males. Of these, 58.8% lived in Bangkok, whereas, the others were from provincial areas. Heterosexual contact were the acquisition of HIV infection in 98.1% of all patients. The prevalence of HBV infection was 8.7%, and HCV infection was 7.8%. There was no difference between the prevalence of these infections in Bangkok and provincial areas (p = 0.115). History of intravenous drug use was associated with both HBV and HCV co-infection (p < 0.001). HCV co-infection group was also associated with male gender (p = 0.002) and elevated serum alanine transaminase (ALT) level (p = 0.0003).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection with HIV in Thai patients is significant. In the author s resources-limited setting, history of intravenous drug use is a major indicator to screen for both HBV and HCV co-infection. Male gender and elevated serum ALT level are also suggestive of HCV co-infection.
Sungkanuparph
Somnuek
S
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand. tesuk@hotmail.com
Vibhagool
Asda
A
Manosuthi
Weerawat
W
Kiertiburanakul
Sasisopin
S
Atamasirikul
Kalayanee
K
Aumkhyan
Anuchart
A
Thakkinstian
Ammarin
A
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology