ABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) co-infection is prevalent among HIV infected individuals because of shared routes and mechanisms of transmission. The multidimensional immunosuppression from HIV infection causes impaired spontaneous recovery from an acute HBV infection; predisposing to chronic infection which is worsened by younger age at infection. Co-infection increases the risk of HBV replication; hepatotoxicity and liver related deaths from Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). The study was undertaken to highlight the burden of co-infection among HIV positive children in Enugu; determine the associated risk factors and compare the effect of co-infection between co-infected and non-co-infected children using liver enzyme and CD4 counts. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out among HIV positive children attending the Paediatric ARV clinic of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital; Ituku-Ozalla. A total of 140 HIV infected children aged 18 months to 15 years were recruited. An interviewer questionnaire was administered. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined using Determine test Kit. Baseline and recent CD4 counts/CD4% were retrieved from the patients' folders. Results: Fourteen (10%) were positive for HBsAg. The highest prevalence of HBsAg was observed among children aged 11- 15 years. The higher the socioeconomic class the less likely the HBsAg positivity. Seven (50%) of the co-infected children had elevated baseline ALT compared with 57 (45.2%) of non-co-infected children though the difference was not statistically significant (t = 0.6; P = 0.56). After the initiation of HAART; 10 (76.9%) of the co-infected and 18 (15.1%) of the non-co-infected children had elevated ALT. The baseline median CD4 count among children = 6 years was 230 cells/mm3 and 360 cells/mm3 respectively among the co-infected and nonco- infected; (P = 0.67). However; in children = 5 years; it was 25% and 15 % respectively (P =0.06). Conclusion: HBV co-infection among HIV infected children is common in our environment; and co-infection is associated with impaired immunity and probably liver enzyme derangement
Subject(s)
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Child , Coinfection , HIV Infections , Hepatitis B virus , Liver , NigeriaABSTRACT
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are major public health challenges in the developing world especially sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis C virus infection among children infected with HIV. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Paediatric HIV Clinic, UNTH, Enugu between July and December 2009. Antibodies to HCV were analyzed by newer generation rapid chromatographic immunoassay method using the Chromatest one step HCV test kit. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15 statistical software. The chi squared test was used to test for significant association of categorical variables. A p-value of <0.05 was accepted as significant. Results: One hundred and eighteen children HIV-infected children, aged between eighteen months to fifteen years were included in the data analysis. Eight of the HIV infected subjects were positive for HCV, giving an HIV-HCV co-infection prevalence of 6.8%. Co-infection was more prevalent among males and in those in age group 11-15 years. Blood transfusion, irrespective of frequency (p<0.015), and injections for immunization (p<0.049) were the significant risk factors noted Conclusion: There is need for strengthening of existing preventive strategies against HCV and HIV infections such as screening of donor blood and safe injection practices in our locality