Prevalence Of Hepatitis B And C Infections In Children Infected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus In Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Southeast, Nigeria

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children with chronic viral hepatitis infection may have increased morbidity and mortality when compared to HIV negative children. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections among HIV infected children in Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki. Methods: It was a cross sectional study that involved consecutive recruitment of 88 confirmed HIV infected children aged 2-17 years, attending the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic. Testings of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HCV antibodies were done using the ACON hepatitis B and C rapid test strips (Acon laboratories Inc San Diego. CA). Results: A total of 88 subjects were recruited during the study period, prevalence of hepatitis was 4.5% (4/88). HIV/HBV co-infected was noted in 3.4% (3/88) of the subjects while HIV/HCV in 1.1% (1/88). Hepatitis B and C infections were highest among children more than 12 years of age and children from lower socio-economic class. There were however no significant relationships between hepatitis B and C infections and socio-demographic variables. There was also no significant relationship between prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections and immunologic stages of subjects. Although there was no case of hepatitis observed among HIV infected children on TDF/FTC/EFV drug combination, antiretroviral regimen had no significant relationship with prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections. Conclusion: The prevalence rates of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV co-infections observed in this study are low when compared to previously reported prevalence rates. Sustained efforts at strengthening HBV immunization program and other preventive measures are recommended. Please download the full paper by clicking on the PDF file below...