Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis c virus co-infection among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients and effect of hepatitis c virus infection on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cases at baseline.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exists as both viruses have the common routes of transmission. HIV infection has adverse effect on the natural history of HCV infection; however, the effect of HCV infection on the natural history of HIV infection is unclear. Materials and Methods: This study was cross-sectional comprising of treatment-naïve adult HIV-infected patients attending clinics at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto and Specialist Hospital Sokoto. The study participants were screened for HCV anti]body and assayed for transaminases and CD4+ T-lymphocytes count levels. The symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining illnesses were asked among the study participants. The questionnaire was used for the collection of data, and SPSS software version 20 was used for the analysis of data. Student's t-tests, Pearson's, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests were used for the statistical analysis, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection was 20.6%. Self-intravenous drugs usage was not statistically significant (P = 0.210). HIV mono-infected patients had significantly lower alanine aminotransferase levels compared to HIV/HCV co-infected study participants (P = 0.048). AIDS status at the baseline was comparable between HIV mono-infected and HIV/HCV co-infected study participants. (P = 0.227; 0.200; 0.130). Conclusion: Moderately high prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection was observed in the current study. HCV co-infection had no effect on AIDS status at baseline. There is a need for routine screening of HCV infection in HIV-infected individuals.

RésuméContexte: La co-infection par le virus de l'hépatite C et le VIH existe car les deux virus ont des voies de transmission communes. L'infection par le VIH a des effets néfastes sur l'histoire naturelle de l'infection par le VHC; cependant, l'effet de l'infection par le VHC sur l'histoire naturelle de l'infection par le VIH n'est pas clair. Méthodes: Cette étude était transversale et comprenait des patients adultes infectés par le VIH, naïfs de traitement, fréquentant les cliniques de l'hôpital universitaire de Usmanu Danfodiyo, Sokoto (UDUTH, SOKOTO) et l'hôpital spécialisé de Sokoto (SHS). Les participants à l'étude ont été dépistés pour les anticorps anti-VHC et testés pour les transaminases et les taux de comptage des lymphocytes T CD4+. Les symptômes des maladies définissant le SIDA ont été demandés parmi les participants à l'étude. Le questionnaire a été utilisé pour la collecte de données et SPSS version 20 a été utilisé pour l'analyse des données. Les tests t de Student, le chi carré de Pearson, le test exact de Fisher ont été utilisés pour les tests statistiques et une valeur P < 0,05 a été considérée comme statistiquement significative. Résultats: La prévalence de la co-infection VIH/VHC était de 20,6%. La consommation de médicaments auto-intraveineux était numériquement plus élevée chez les participants à l'étude avec une co-infection par le VHC, mais pas statistiquement significative (P = 0,210). Le VIH mono-infecté présentait des taux d'ALAT significativement plus faibles que les participants à l'étude co-infectés par le VIH/VHC (P = 0,048). Le statut SIDA au départ était comparable entre les participants à l'étude mono-infectés par le VIH et co-infectés par le VIH/VHC (P = 0,227; 0,200; 0,130). Conclusion: Une prévalence modérément élevée de co-infection VIH/VHC a été observée dans la présente étude. La co-infection par le VHC n'a eu aucun effet sur l'état du SIDA au départ. Un dépistage systématique de l'infection par le VHC est nécessaire chez les personnes infectées par le VIH. Mots-clés: VIH, VHC, co-infection, transaminases, SIDA.

Distribution of hepatitis B virus-positive individuals in Zaria, Nigeria, according to risk-associated practices.

BACKGROUND: An estimated 75% of Nigerians are at risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure. In an attempt to reduce the menace, the assessment of risk factors associated with HBV infection and general perception of infected individuals is a step in that direction. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study, therefore, identified exposure to risk factors and general perceptions associated with HBV infection in infected individuals in Zaria, Nigeria. METHODOLOGY: Four milliliters of blood were collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid container from each of 165 HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive participants recruited purposively from the gastroenterology clinic of ABUTH Zaria from May to August 2017. Plasma was separated and used to screen for HBsAg with Fastep® rapid strip. Epi Info® questionnaire database was used to collate data on sociodemographics, risk factors, and perception indices. GraphPad Prism 6 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median interquartile range age of the participants was 31.0 (25.5-39.0) years with 107 (64.8%) male participants. Sharing hair clippers, commercial pedicure, and body piercing among others were some of the risks that the study participants reported to be exposed to. One-quarter of health workers involved in the study had needlestick injury. Less than half of the study participants (47.7%) knew of hepatitis B before testing HBsAg seropositive. Knowledge of the HBV vaccine before testing and adherence was generally poor (38.6% and 44.6%, respectively). There was a significant linear relationship between the level of education and knowledge of hepatitis B. CONCLUSION: Considering the myriads of already established risks of HBV seen in Zaria, massive enlightenment campaigns need to be embarked on continuously through all available media, including social media.