ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Co-infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected individuals results in increased hepatic complications. We undertook this study to evaluate the presence of HBV and HCV in HIV infected individuals attending a tertiary care centre in southern India. Methods: A total of 120 cases with HIV infection and 120 healthy adult control subjects were included in the study. Samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. HBsAg and anti-HCV positive serum samples were further tested for the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), anti-HBe antibodies, HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA. Results: The most common mode of transmission was sexual promiscuity (79%), followed by spouse positivity (15%) and history of blood transfusion (6%). HBsAg and anti-HCV were positive in 18 (15%) and 10 (8.3%) HIV infected patients; the corresponding figures in healthy controls being 2 (1.6%) 0 (0%) (P<0.0001). Among HIV infected patients, presence of HBeAg and anti-HBe antibodies was seen in 33.3 and 55.5 per cent, respectively; both HBeAg and anti-HBe antibodies were negative in 11.1 per cent. HBV DNA and HCV RNA were positive in 10 of 18 and in all anti-HCV positive samples. Triple infection with HBV, HCV and HIV was seen in three patients. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count less than 200/μl was seen in 22 of 28 co-infected cases. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings of our study showed presence of HBV (15%) and HCV (8.3%) co-infections in HIV positive patients which was higher than that seen in HIV negative controls. Co-infection with HBV and HCV is a common problem in HIV infected patients in India. Hence, all HIV patients need to be routinely tested for markers of HBV and HCV infection.
ABSTRACT
A 55-year-old woman presented with fever, breathlessness and shock. She was diagnosed to have diabetes mellitus (Type 2) after admission. Blood culture grew Burkholderia pseudomallei. The patient responded to intravenous ceftozidime for two weeks and a prolonged course of six months with cotrimoxazole and doxycycline.
ABSTRACT
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the high-risk factors for the development of HCC, particularly in Asia and Africa. Other risk factors include hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and, to a certain extent, exposure to a liver-specific carcinogen such as aflatoxin B, and alcohol consumption. In the present retrospective study, we analysed the clinical profile and aetiological role of HBV and HCV in HCC. A total of 40 cases of HCC (33 males and 7 females, age range 22-80 years) were seen from January 1999 to June 2001 at our institute. A detailed history of age, sex, past history of liver disease, clinical symptoms and presenting complaints was recorded. The most common presenting complaints were abdominal distention, pedal oedema and pain abdomen. Underlying cirrhosis of the liver was seen in 30 cases (75%), Child's A in 6, Child's B in 11 and Child's C in 13 cases. A history of alcoholism was present in 6 patients. All the patients were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV by ELISA. HBsAg and anti-HCV was positive in 19 (47.5%) and 8 patients (20%), respectively. The diagnosis in the majority of cases was derived by FNAC and in a few by imaging techniques plus alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) evaluation. The diagnosis was confirmed by FNAC in 34, CT scan and AFP in 2, and ultrasound abdomen and AFP in 4 cases. We conclude that viral infection (HBV > HCV) is still a major aetiological factor and the incidence of HCV infection appears to be increasing. The majority of the cases of HCC studied had a cirrhotic background.