[HIV/HCV coinfection at an university hospital in Recife, Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and risks factors associated with coinfection in HIV-positive individuals.


METHODS
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 343 HIV patients attended at a university hospital in Recife, Northeastern Brazil, from March to December 2003. A standardized questionnaire about risk factors was administered. Serum samples were analyzed for anti-HCV antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), HCV-RNA using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and genotyping using the ABI 377 (PE Biosystems). Univariate and multivariate analyses and multiple logistic regression were performed.


RESULTS
HCV prevalence was 4.1% (14/343) using ELISA and 3.2% (11/343) using RT-PCR. The most common genotypes were 1b (45%), 3 (33%) and 1a (22%). Co-infection was higher among those aged 30 to 39 years, and predominantly in males (64.3 %). In the multiple logistic regression, the variable blood transfusion was the single remaining risk factor for HCV (OR=4.28; 95% CI 1.44;12.73).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of HIV/HCV coinfection was low. Blood transfusion was a risk factor and HCV genotype 1b was the most frequently found.
Carvalho
Flávia Helena Pontes de
FH
Setor de Virologia, Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo-Asam, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brasil.
Coêlho
Maria Rosângela Cunha Duarte
MR
Vilella
Tatiana de Aguiar Santos
Tde A
Silva
Jéfferson Luis Almeida
JL
Melo
Heloísa Ramos de Lacerda
HR
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral