Hepatitis B and C virus co-infections in human immunodeficiency virus positive North Indian patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C virus infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -positive patients at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India.


METHODS
Serum samples from 451 HIV positive patients were analyzed for HBsAg and HCV antibodies during three years (Jan 2003-Dec 2005). The control group comprised of apparently healthy bone-marrow and renal donors.


RESULTS
The study population comprised essentially of heterosexually transmitted HIV infection. The prevalence rate of HBsAg in this population was 5.3% as compared to 1.4% in apparently healthy donors (P < 0.001). Though prevalence of HCV co-infection (2.43%) was lower than HBV in this group of HIV positive patients, the prevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than controls (0.7%). Triple infection of HIV, HBV and HCV was not detected in any patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows a significantly high prevalence of hepatitis virus infections in HIV infected patients. Hepatitis viruses in HIV may lead to faster progression to liver cirrhosis and a higher risk of antiretroviral therapy induced hepatotoxicity. Therefore, it would be advisable to detect hepatitis virus co-infections in these patients at the earliest.
Gupta
Swati
S
Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India.
Singh
Sarman
S
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens