title: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and hepatitis C virus co-infection and viral subtypes at an HIV testing center in Brazil.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing sites have been recognized recently as potential settings for hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening since both viruses share common routes of transmission. HIV and HCV prevalence, predictors, co-infection rates, and viral subtypes were studied in 592 attendants at an anonymous HIV Counseling and Testing Center in central Brazil. Anti-HIV-1 and -HCV antibodies were screened by ELISA, and Western blots were used to confirm HIV infection. Among HIV-seropositive samples, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested-PCR were used to subtype HIV-1 by the Heteroduplex Mobility Analysis (HMA) and HCV by the line probe assay (INNO-LiPA). HIV and HCV seroprevalence was 3.2% (95% CI 2.0-4.9) and 2.5% (95% CI 1.5-4.0), respectively. Intravenous drug use was the risk factor most strongly associated with both HIV and HCV infections, even in a population with few intravenous drug users (n = 6); incarceration was also associated with HCV. HIV/AIDS-positive sexual partner and homosexual/bisexual behaviors were associated independently with HIV-1. The prevalence of HCV infection among HIV-positive persons was 42% (95% CI 20-66), higher than in HIV-negative persons (1.2%; 95% CI 0.5-2.5). HIV-1 subtype B was identified in the env and gag regions of the genome. HCV subtype 3a predominated among co-infected persons and one HCV subtype 1a was detected. Overall, a similar prevalence of HIV and HCV infections and a higher prevalence of HCV among HIV-positive persons were observed. Integrated HIV and HCV screening at HIV testing sites may represent a unique opportunity to provide diagnosis and prevention strategies at a single visit.
authors.affiliation: Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goiás-Rua Delenda Rezende de Mello s/n-Setor Universitario, Goiania-Goias, Brazil.
authors.forename: G A S
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: M M A
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Stefani
authors.forename: C M T
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Martelli
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Turchi
authors.forename: E M P
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: M A S
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: R M B
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Martins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies