Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected People Who Inject Drugs in Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are the major cause of the global burden of hepatitis. One of the main routes of transmission for both viruses is through exposure to infected blood, which includes sharing blood-contaminated syringes and needles. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system and results in acquired immune deficiency syndrome and opportunistic infections. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology of HBV and HCV infections among HIV-infected people who inject drugs (PWID). The study enrolled 100 PWID from different addiction centers of the city of Lahore in Pakistan. All subjects were HIV-infected males and were above 16 years of age. Screening of HBV and HCV infections was performed through immunochromatography tests and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The prevalence of HCV and HBV infections among the 100 HIV-infected PWID was 55% and 6%, respectively. HIV monoinfection was found in 37% of the subjects, while triple infection was detected in 2% of the subjects. Majority of the HIV-infected PWID were using heroin and Avil injections (65%). Half of the subjects had used injection drugs for 1-5 years, while 32% had used injection drugs for 6-10 years. HCV infection was more common than HBV infection among the enrolled subjects. Most of the PWID were practicing heroin and Avil injections.

Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Hepatitis B and C in Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan

“…These groups include blood donors; patients with diseases including dental abnormalities, hemodialysis, thalassemia, and HIV; drug addicts; sex workers; and hospitalized people. 2,[7][8][9][10] This conclusion was further supported by literature search analysis of last 5 years, 2014-2019, performed in PubMed search engine using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) (["Hepatitis B" {Mesh}] AND "Hepatitis C" [Mesh]) AND "Pakistan" (Mesh) (Supplemental Annexure 1).…”

Prevalence and risk factors associated with HIV/hepatitis B and HIV/hepatitis C co-infections among people who inject drugs in Mozambique

“…In addition to HIV, viral hepatitis remains an important global health issue, characterized by high prevalence, high burden of morbidity and mortality, and suboptimal diagnosis and management approaches [8][9][10]. Viral hepatitis are the most common viral infections affecting PWIDs [10,11]. HIV and viral hepatitis infections share common transmission routes, risk behaviors and their co-infection represents a serious global concern resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates [11,12].…”

“…Viral hepatitis are the most common viral infections affecting PWIDs [10,11]. HIV and viral hepatitis infections share common transmission routes, risk behaviors and their co-infection represents a serious global concern resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates [11,12]. HIV infection affects the natural course of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), promoting faster progression to chronicity, liver fibrosis, and malignancy [2,[9][10][11].…”

Hepatitis C virus transmission cluster among injection drug users in Pakistan

“…Sharing needles and syringes increases the risk of HCV [30,31]. In Pakistan, sharing needles and syringe reuse have been reported as the major cause of HCV transmission [32].…”