Molecular Determining of HIV-1 with the Presence of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Co-infections

Background: Because of the similar modes of transmission, simultaneous infection of viral hepatitis and HIV increasingly seen as a big problem related to humanity health. Aim: In this study, we aimed to determine the drug mutations in hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected HIV-1 patients in Turkey. Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods: The present was conducted between 2010 and 2017. HBsAg, Anti HCV and anti-HIV were tested with ELISA. All anti-HIV positive results by ELISA were verified for anti-HIV positivity by Western blot test, and Anti-HIV positive patients with HBsAg and/or Anti HCV positivity were included in the study. Subtyping and genotypic resistance analysis were performed by population sequencing of the viral protease and reverse transcriptase regions of the HIV-1 pol gene. Results: We detected a total of 3,896 HIV-1 positive patients that their sera were sent from numerous hospitals across the country to PCR Unit for detection of drug resistance mutations and whose molecular laboratory tests were completed. The viral hepatitis co-infections were detected in 4.3% (n=170) in total and HBV and HCV co-infections were observed in 3.2% and 0.5% of all HIV-1 infected patients, respectively. Major HIV-1 subtypes were detected as a group M, subtype B (62.9%). However, 13.5% drug resistance mutation motifs were found in HIV-1 genomes of the patients that included to study. Conclusions: In conclusion, because of similar transmission routes HIV positive patients have a risk for HBV and HCV co-infections. However, the ART drug resistance mutation pattern is observed to be similar with patients who are HBV and/or HCV negative. Patients with HIV-1 and their viral hepatitis co-infections should be recommended for careful surveillance.