title: Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus in HIV-1 and HIV-2 infected Gambians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of HIV/hepatitis co-infection in sub-Saharan Africa is not well documented, while both HIV and HBV are endemic in this area.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV virus in HIV-infected subjects in the Gambia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma samples from HIV infected patients (190 individuals with clinically defined AIDS and 382 individuals without AIDS) were tested retrospectively for the presence of HBV sero-markers and for serum HBV DNA, screened for HCV infection by testing for anti-HCV antibody and HCV RNA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HBsAg prevalence in HIV-positive individuals is 12.2%. HIV/HBV co-infected individuals with CD4 count of <200 cells µL⁻¹ have a higher HBV DNA viral load than patients with higher CD4 count (log 4.0 vs. log 2.0 DNA copies/ml, p < 0.05). Males (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0, 3.2) were more likely to be HBsAg positive than female. HCV seroprevalence was 0.9% in HIV-positive individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HBsAg carriage in HIV- infected Gambians is similar to that obtained in the general population. However co-infected individuals with reduced CD4 levels, indicative of AIDS had higher prevalence of HBeAg retention and elevated HBV DNA levels compared to non-AIDS patients with higher CD4 count.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council, Fajara, P O Box 273, Banjul, The Gambia.
authors.forename: Modou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jobarteh
authors.forename: Marine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malfroy
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jeng
authors.forename: Ramu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sarge-Njie
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alabi
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cotten
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rowland-Jones
authors.forename: Hilton
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Whittle
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tedder
authors.forename: Assan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jaye
authors.forename: Maimuna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mendy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005714:Gambia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral