title: Characteristics of co infection with hepatitis B virus among Romanian patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the epidemiological and viroimmunological features and outcome of HIV/HBV-co infected patients cared in the lasi HIV/AIDS Regional Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included 252 patients diagnosed with HIV infection and associated hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection assessed at the Hospital of Infectious Diseases in the interval 2000-2013 and treated with antiretroviral drugs active against both HIV and HBV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of HIV/HBV co infection was 19.9%. A slightly higher frequency of this co infection was found among males (53.2%); most patients belonged to age group 20-29 years (86.5%), mean age was 25.56 years. The predominant route of transmission was parenteral (58.5%), followed by heterosexual transmission (40.1%). The mean CD4 cell count was 246.20 cells/mm3, in over 41% of cases CD4 count ranging from 200 to 499 cells/mm3. The mean HIV plasma viral load was 142,906 copies/ml. ALT levels varied between 10-323 IU/l, average 49.90 IU/l, over 65% of subjects having pathological levels. In 21.8% of the cases, total cholesterol was very high, and in 16.8% of the patients the serum triglyceride levels were below the reference range (160 mg %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that HIV-positive patients, chronic hepatitis B infection has a high incidence, especially in younger age groups and is correlated with significant degrees of immunosuppression.
authors: Gabriela
authors: G
authors: Juganariu
authors: Doina
authors: D
authors: Mihalache
authors: Egidia
authors: E
authors: Miftode
authors: Andra
authors: A
authors: Teodor
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Teodor
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Manciuc
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Dorobat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D060085:Coinfection; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents