Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C co-infection in HIV seropositive and HIV seronegative cases in a Tertiary care hospital in Southern Haryana

Abstract

HBV (Hepatitis B virus) and HCV (Hepatitis C virus) are the causative agents of acute as well as chronic hepatitis. Nearly, two billion people are suffering with HBV and approximately 170 million people are infected with HCV infection around the world. While patients who are infected with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) 2-4 million are found to be having chronic HBV co-infection and 4-5 million are having HCV coinfection. Due to common mode of transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV like using shared needles, syringes, other injectable devices, sexual intercourse, or even mother to baby transmission, it is common to see HBV and HCV co-infection in HIV positive individuals. This was a hospital based observational cross-sectional study. This study was conducted in Department of Microbiology, SHKM GMC, Nalhar, Nuh, Haryana. It was for one year. The sample size for HIV seropostive cases was 80 including 40 HIV positive and 40 HIV negative samples. Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV was identified on HIV positive and HIV negative samples. Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV was found to be higher in HIV positive individuals than HIV negative individuals. In HIV positive patients 10% individuals were HBsAg positive, 5% were HBeAg positive, 10% were positive by HBV RT-PCR. None of the HIV negative were coinfected with HBV. Similarly HCV-HIV coinfection was seen in 12.5% of individuals with Rapid test, ELISA and RT-PCR. None of the HIV negative were coinfected with HCV. In HIV positive individuals HBV and HCV coinfection was seen and Co-infection of HBV and HCV was absent in HIV negative individuals. Regular screening is recommended for HBV and HCV in HIV positive individuals.