Hepatitis B, C and HIV co-infections seroprevalence in a northeast Brazilian center.
BACKGROUND
The occurrence of HIV and hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus associations is of great concern since co-infected patients respond poorly to antiviral treatment and usually progress to chronic and more complicated hepatic disease. In Brazil, these co-infections prevalence is not well known since published data are few and sometimes demonstrate conflicting results. Also, a significant number of co-infected individuals are HBV/HCV asymptomatic carriers, leading to under notification.


OBJECTIVE
The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of the HBV and HCV infection in a recently diagnosed HIV population in the state of Ceará/Brazil.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort, with >18yo patients diagnosed HIV+ from 2008-2010. First year medical attention information was collected.


RESULTS
A total of 1.291 HIV+ patients were included. HBV serologies were collected in 52% (23% had previous hepatitis B, 3.7% were co-infected) and HCV in 25.4% (1.5% had previous hepatitis C, 5.4% co-infection). The majority of HBV/HIV patients referred multiple sexual partners/year, 28% homosexualism and 20% bisexualism. In the HCV/HIV group 38.8% individuals had > one sexual partner/year and 22.2% used intravenous drugs.


CONCLUSIONS
The study reinforce the need for better training healthcare workers and providing laboratory support for a prompt hepatitis diagnosis and adequate medical management to avoid complications and decrease viral spread.
Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), FortalezaCE, Brasil.
Lara Gurgel Fernandes
LG
Távora
Hospital São José, FortalezaCE, Brasil.
Elodie Bomfim
EB
Hyppolito
Laboratório Central de Saúde Pública (LACEN), FortalezaCE, Brasil.
José Napoleão Monte da
JN
Cruz
Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), FortalezaCE, Brasil.
Nyvia Maria Barroso
NM
Portela
Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), FortalezaCE, Brasil.
Samuel Montenegro
SM
Pereira
Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR), FortalezaCE, Brasil.
Camila Monteiro
CM
Veras
D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D060085:Coinfection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male