Co-infection of hepatitis (A, B & C) among patients with HIV: magnitude and characteristics of patients attending Muhimbili National Hospital

Abstract

Background: In Tanzania very little is published regarding HIV and Hepatitis A, B

and C viral co-infection.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and describe the clinical and demographic

characteristics of HIV positive individuals co-infected with single or multiple

Hepatitis (A, B, C) viruses.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and September

2006. A total of 260 HIV-infected HAART naTve patients aged 18 years at the

Muhimbili National Hospital Care and treatment clinic were enrolled. Interview,

physical examination and search for markers of Hepatitis A, B and C infections by

ELISA were done.

Results: The prevalence of Anti HAV IgM antibodies, HBsAg, HBc IgM antibodies

and anti HCV antibodies were 3.1%, 17.3%, 2.3% and 18.1% respectively. The

prevalence of HBV by either HBsAg or HBcAb marker was 18. 1%. None of the

patients had all the three hepatitis viruses. Notably, most (81.1 %) of the patients with

hepatitis co-infection had neither specific clinical features related to the infection nor

raised serum transaminases.

Conclusion and recommendations: The high prevalence of Hepatitis B and C viral

co-infections among HIV patients underscores the need for routine screening of these

viruses prior to initiation of Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy (HAART).