Abstract:
BACKGROUND: With increased availability of antibiotics and antifungal agents
hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are becoming a
cause for significant concern in HIV infected children. We determined the
seroprevalence and risk factors for HBV and HCV among HIV infected children aged
18 months to 17 years, attending the Paediatric HIV Care and Treatment Center
(CTC) at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
METHODS: Investigations included; interviews, physical examination and serology
for HBsAg, IgG antibodies to HCV and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. HIV
serostatus and CD4 counts were obtained from patient records.
RESULTS: 167 HIV infected children, 88(52.7%) males and 79(47.3%) females were
enrolled. The overall prevalence of hepatitis co-infection was 15%, with the
seroprevalence of HBV and HCV being 1.2% and 13.8%, respectively. Hepatitis virus
co-infection was not associated with any of the investigated risk factors and
there was no association between HBV and HCV. Elevated ALT was associated with
hepatitis viral co-infection but not with ART usage or immune status.
CONCLUSION: The high seroprevalence (15%) of hepatitis co-infection in HIV
infected children attending the Paediatrics HIV CTC at the MNH calls for routine
screening of hepatitis viral co-infection and modification in the management of
HIV infected children.
