title: Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus/hepatitis B virus co-infection in Southern Brazil: clinical and epidemiological evaluation.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus share a similar transmission pathway and are often diagnosed in the same patient. These patients tend to have a faster progression of hepatic fibrosis. This cross-sectional study describes the demographic features and clinical profile of human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis co-infected patients in Paraná, Southern Brazil. A total of 93 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients attending a tertiary care academic hospital in Southern Brazil were included. Clinical, demographic and epidemiological data were evaluated. Hepatitis B virus and/or hepatitis C virus positive serology was found in 6.6% of patients. The anti-hepatitis C virus serum test was positive in 85% (79/93) of patients, and the infection was confirmed in 72% of the cases. Eighteen patients (19%) were human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis B virus positive (detectable HBsAg). Among co-infected patients, there was a high frequency of drug use, and investigations for the detection of co-infection were conducted late. A low number of patients were eligible for treatment and, although the response to antiretroviral therapy was good, there was a very poor response to hepatitis therapy. Our preliminary findings indicate the need for protocols aimed at systematic investigation of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients, thus allowing for early detection and treatment of co-infected patients.
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil; Infectious Diseases Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: sraboni@ufpr.br.
authors.forename: Sonia Mara
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Raboni
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe Francisco
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Tuon
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Program in Internal Medicine and Health Science, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nayara Carvalho Polido
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Beloto
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Demeneck
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Largura
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andressa Gervasoni
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sagrado
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bárbara Perdonsini
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.affiliation: Community Health Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Franzoni
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Department, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Lucia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pedroso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Co-infection; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Human immunodeficiency virus