title: Triple positivity of HBsAg, anti-HCV antibody, and HIV and their influence on CD4+ lymphocyte levels in the highly HIV infected population of Abeokuta, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few studies exist on hospital-based seroprevalence of triple positivity of HIV/HBV/HCV in Nigeria.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed at determining the triple positivity of HIV, HBsAg and HCV among HIV-infected individuals in Abeokuta, Nigeria and defining the influence of these triple infections on CD4+ counts of HIV-infected individuals as antiretroviral therapy improves in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enumeration of CD4+ levels in 183 HIV-infected persons was done with Partec Flow Cytometer. Seropositivity of HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody was detected with rapid kits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From the result obtained, significance variance (p<0.05) existed between HIV positive persons and persons who tested positive to HIV/HBV/HCV triple infection before and after the commencement of HAART. Of these infections, 31(16.9%) had HBV/HCV/HIV triple infection, while 152(83.1%) had HIV mono infection only, 56(30.6%) had HBV/HIV dual infection only and 43(23.5%) had HCV/HIV dual infection only. Significant variance (p<0.05) also existed between subjects with CD4 counts of <200 cells/µl, 200-499 cells/µl and >500 cells/µl. Highest seroprevalence of HIV (35.0%) was found in age groups 35-44 years and >65 years had the least (2.7%). Significant variance (p<0.05) also existed in the progression of CD4+ lymphocytes cells between subjects with persistent decrease (32.3%) in CD4+ lymphocytes cells and those with fluctuation in their CD4+ lymphocytes cells (12.9%) after the commencement of ART.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study further confirms that triple positivity of HIV/HBV/HCV infection is common in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Testing of these triple infections should be a big concern in the best choice and commencement of ART. Also, the study showed that consistent and prolonged use of HAART had a positive impact on the CD4 count of HIV-infected individuals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Sandra Olukemi
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Ogwu-Richard
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: David Ajiboye
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ojo
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology. Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Department of Microbiology, Federal Medical Centre Idi Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olusola Abiodun
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Akingbade
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, East-West Road, P.M.B. 5323, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Iheanyi Omezuruike
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Okonko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
keywords: AIDS; ART; CD4; HAART; HIV/HBV/HCV