Prevalence of HBsAg and HBV Serotypes Using Antigen Detection and PCR Methods among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients Accessing Healthcare in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Central Nigeria

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus is a major public health problem especially in developing countries. In a descriptive study, the prevalence of HBsAg and HBV serotypes using antigen detection and PCR methods were evaluated among HIV patients accessing healthcare in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Central Nigeria. After ethical clearance, blood samples were aseptically collected between January to April 2016 from 547 subjects who gave informed consent and completed self-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were analyzed using HBsAg screening kit (ACON Laboratories Inc, USA) and Nested PCR approach. The Chi-square statistical test was performed to identify possible risk factors associated with the viral seropositivity. Overall, 53 (9.7%) had IgG antibodies against HBV. A higher prevalence of Short Research Article