SEROPREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG HIV INFECTED INDIVIDUALS IN UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT Aim Hepatitis B and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are highly endemic in Nigeria and are important causes of death and disability. Co-infection between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) commonly occur as both viruses share a common mode of transmission. This leads to fulminant hepatitis and liver cirrhosis depending on the stages of infection which are acute and chronic stages respectively. This study was carried to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) among HIV-infected individuals in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Methods In this study 176 HIV-infected individuals were recruited comprising 67 males and 109 females. These subjects were screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results From those tested, 11 were positive for HBsAg giving an overall prevalence rate of 6.3%. Co-infection rate of males (8.5%) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from that of females (6.4%). Co-infection was highest in age group 6-30 years (28.2%). In relation to marital status, singles had the higher co-infection rates (10.5%) than married subjects (4.7%). Among the different occupational groups, students had the highest co-infection rate (22.2%) and was closely followed by business (16.7%). Higher HIV/HBV co-infection was observed among those with CD4 cell count 5001 copies/mL (13.6%). Conclusion This study confirms the high HIV/HBV co-infection rate (6.3%) and thus, there is a need to screen all HIV-positive individuals for HBV infection. A high seroprevalence of HBV among this cohort of HIV-infected individuals contributes to the calls for pre-ART screening for HBV and the necessary paradigm shift in the ART nucleoside backbone to include agent(s) more dually effective against HIV and HBV.