Seroprevalence and Early Indicators of HBV and HCV Co-infection Among Newly Diagnosed HIV Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study from India.

Abstract

HIV-HBV and HIV-HCV co-infections contribute significantly to liver-associated morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (HIV/AIDS). Detection of these hepatitis co-infections at the time of HIV diagnosis is critical for the selection of the most suitable HAART regimen to improve long-term health outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 282 newly diagnosed, HIV-1 adult patients and screened for HBV (HBsAg) and HCV (anti-HCV) using immunoassays. Sociodemographic, behavioral, hematological, biochemical, immunological, and virological parameters were analyzed. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine relative risk ratios (RRR) for co-infections. Among all participants HIV-HBV and HIV-HCV co-infections had 3.9% and 2.5% seroprevalence respectively. Previous or present injection drug use was the best predictor, with RRR = 74.86 (95% CI 11.7-478.9, p < 0.001) for HIV-HBV and RRR = 174.67 (95% CI 22.6-1348.1, p < 0.001) for HIV-HC Non-heterosexual HIV transmission modes were also significant predictors (RRR = 8.30, 95% CI 2.2-31.2, p = 0.002 for HIV-HBV; RRR = 10.9, 2.3-52.7, HCV, p = 0.003). Compared to HIV-only patients, co-infected patients had significantly elevated bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, and ALP levels, lower platelet counts and serum albumin, higher ESR, and higher HIV viral loads. Furthermore, sexual orientation (< 0.001) and substance abuse (< 0.001) significantly contribute to health risk behaviors. These findings highlights the prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection among newly diagnosed HIV patients is lower than the global prevalence among HIV/AIDS. However, the baseline laboratory abnormalities and high-risk behaviors may serve as early indicators of co-infection, supporting routine hepatitis screening in newly diagnosed HIV patients.