HBV Seroprevalence and Genetic Diversity among HIV Patients in the Department of Lekoumou in Congo Brazzaville

Introduction: HBV-HIV co-infection is a major public health problem. The objective of this study was to contribute to the improvement of management of HBV-HIV co-infected patients in Congo. Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted from January 1st to September 30th, 2016. We studied outpatients seen in hospitals and Integrated Health Center of Department of Lékoumou. Screening for HBsAg was done by rapid test (Heath Mate HBsAg plus test) and that of HIV 1 and 2 was done by immunoassay (ImmunocoCOMB II HIV). The detection of HBV DNA was made by the QIAGEN QIA Kit and the identification of genotypes by PCR product sequencing at the National Public Health Laboratory of Brazzaville. Results: During nine months of study period, 204 patients were enrolled to participate in this study. Male patients were 37.3% and female were 62.7%, with a sex ratio of 0.5. The mean age was 40.9 ± 13.4. The frequency of HBV-HIV co-infection was 2.4% (n = 5). Single infections accounted for 6.3% (n = 13) for HBV and 12.3% (n = 23) for HIV. Carriers of HBV DNA accounted for 7.8% (n = 16/204). Condom non-use was significantly associated with co-infection and mono-infection (P <0.05). HBV genotype E was more common in the study participants than genotype A. Conclusion: HIV-HBV co-infection exists. Despite the small sample size, the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus remains high. Two HBV genotypes, A and E, have been identified in co-infected and monoinfected patients.