Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Coinfection among HIV Positive Individuals in South India

HIV shares transmission routes with both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). As a result, coinfection with HIV-HBV and HIV-HCV is not uncommon. In the current study, researchers screened for HBV and HCV coinfection in HIV patients in southern India.

A total of 500 consecutive HIV positive patients were screened for hepatitis B (HBsAg and HBV DNA) and hepatitis C (anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA) using commercially available ELISA kits.

HBV DNA PCR testing was performed to detect the surface antigen region (pre S-S). HCV RNA was detected using RT PCR for the detection of the constant 5' putative non-coding region of HCV.

Results

• HIV-HBV coinfection was detected in 45 of 500 patients (9%).

• HIV-HCV coinfection was detected in 11 of 500 (2.2%).

• Among the 45 coinfected patients, only 40 could be studied.

• The detection rate of HBe was 55% (22 of 40), anti-HBe 45% (18 of 40), and HBV DNA 56% (23 of 40).

• Among the 11 HIV-HCV coinfected subjects, 6 (54.5%) were anti-HCV and HCV RNA positive, while 3 (27.2%) were positive for anti-HCV alone and 2 (18%) were positive for HCV RNA alone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the authors wrote, "Since the principal routes for HIV transmission are similar to that followed by the hepatotropic viruses, infections with HBV and HCV are [to be] expected in HIV-infected patients. Therefore, it would be advisable to screen for these viruses in all HIV-infected individuals and their sexual partners at the earliest [time possible]."

YRG Centre for AIDS Research and Education, VHS Campus, Taramani, Chennai, India.

09/21/07

Reference
S Saravanan, V Velu, N Kumarasamy, and others. Coinfection of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Virus in HIV-infected Patients in South India. World Journal of Gastroenterology 13(37): 5015-5020. October 7, 2007.