Co-infection with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) has become an important factor of co-morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection and its effect on the disease progression in people living with HIV/AIDS identified in Yaoundé Central Hospital. Blood samples from 75 HIV positive patients were collected in Yaoundé Central Hospital from November 2015 to February 2016, for the determination of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) using immunoassays. Cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) T-cells count and biochemical markers of liver function were also collected and analyzed. The socio-demographic data were also collected. The effect sizes were confirmed using G*Power version 3.1.9.2 software. The data were entered and analyzed using the SPSS Version 22.1 software. The statistical tests performed were x2, and Pearson correlation, with significant difference at the threshold p ≤ 0.05. Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) was identified in 12 patients out of 75 HIV-positive patients, for a HIV/HBV co-infection prevalence of 16%. The co-infection rate was higher in women 9 (12%) than in men 3 (4%). Among HIV infected patients, a negative and significant correlation was observed between CD4 count and ALT activity, and between the concentration of conjugated bilirubin and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) p≤ 0.05. The prevalence of HIV/HBV co-infection is higher among HIV positive patients in the Yaoundé Central Hospital. HIV associated with HBV plays a role in the disease progression. Consequently, it is important that a national management programme is in place in the country to monitor the incidence and morbidity rates of these affections.

This study investigates the current status of HIV/HCV co-infection through viral sero-prevalence and correlation with liver markers and CD4 count in three hospital settings in Cameroon. Blood samples of 75 newly diagnosed HIV patients, and 546 people attending the target hospitals were screened for HCV(antigen-antibodies) using enzyme-immunoassay. Biochemical liver markers (ALT-AST--GTBilirubin) and CD4-cell count were also analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using student's ttest, χ2-test and Pearson correlation. The statistical significance was set at the threshold p≤0.05. Out of 75 people with HIV, 10(13.33%) were diagnosed with HIV/HCV co-infection; 56(10.25%) individuals from the cohort of 546 participants were diagnosed with HCV infection and 5(8.93%) were confirmed HIV positive. Results showed that HCV infection rate is higher among HIV patients than among the general population. For the two populations, co-infection rate was higher in women: 7(9.3%) and 3(4%) respectively in HIV positive patients, 3(5.35%) and 2(3.57%) in HCV patients. Women comprised the majority of people with HIV (72%) while men were the majority in the HCV-infected population (78.57%). Mean age in co-infected individuals was higher, with 93.33% aged 50 years or above. A negative and significant correlation was associated with CD4 count, ALT activity and bilirubin concentration in people with HIV, whereas in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, positive and significant correlations were associated with ALT, AST and -GT. HIV/HCV co-infection is a concern in hospital settings in Cameroon. HCV screening should be compulsory for patients and integrated in the existing guidelines/policies in Cameroon.