• Ifeyinwa Dorothy Nnakenyi, Chisom Uchechukwu, and Uloaku Nto-Ezimah.
• University of Nigeria Nsukka, Department of Chemical Pathology.
• Afr Health Sci. 2020 Jun 1; 20 (2): 579-586.

BackgroundThe health of people living with HIV/AIDS becomes progressively worse when co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), resulting in shortened life span. The modes of transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV are similar.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection in HIV patients.MethodThis was a retrospective study of serology test results for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) of HIV positive patients registered from 2008-2013 (6years) at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. Adult patients with confirmed HIV seropositivity were included. Ethical approval was obtained and confidentiality of the patient information was maintained. Laboratory records were reviewed to obtain HBsAg, anti-HCV, and CD4 T-lymphocyte results. Prevalence was determined by the number of positive results over total number of patients tested. Chi-square test was used to determine relationships and p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results4663 HIV patient records were included comprising 3024 (65%) females and 1639 (35%) males. Serology results showed 365/4663 (7.8%) tested HBsAg-positive only; 219/4663 (4.7%) tested anti-HCV-positive only; and 27/4663 (0.58%) tested both HBsAg and anti-HCV-positive. Correlation of age and sex were statistically significant with HBV and HCV (p<0.05) but not CD4 count (p>0.05).ConclusionHBV co-infection was more prevalent than HCV, and triple infection was also observed. Screening for these viral infections in the HIV population is necessary for early identification to enable appropriate, holistic management of these patients.© 2020 Nnakenyi ID et al.

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