Sero -Prevalence of Hepatitis –B Surface Antigenemia in Hiv -Positive Patients in Community Care Centre in South India

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are an estimated 4 million patients with HIV/HBV coinfection. With introduction of newer ARV treatment HIV does not appear to significantly modify the natural history of HBV infection. Therefore, all patients with HIV/HBV co-infection should be evaluated for treatment of hepatitis B, independently of the CD4 lymphocyte count. Early detection can contribute substantially to the timely diagnosis of the patients with acute illnesses and to an early treatment and hence, it can limit the transmission of the infection AIM: This study was undertaken to know the prevalence of HBV in patients with HIV attending a community care centre in Bellary. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The prospective study included three hundred consecutive HIV infected patients attending community care centre, who were tested for co-infection with HBV. It included one hundred and seventy two male and one hundred and thirty eight female patients between the age group 25-50 years. HBV infection was detected by ELISA card method. Other routine investigations were also done. RESULTS: Out of a 300 consecutive HIV infected patients studied, HBV co-infection was detected in 22 /300 (7.5%) patients. The mode of transmission of HBV was heterosexual contact in all (100%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of co-infection of HIV with HBV is similar in our study population as compared to that reported in other studies and depends on mode of transmission. The knowledge of HBV infection in a patient of HIV is vital since these patients, as they live longer on antiretroviral treatment will also need to be managed for their infection with HBV its complications like HCC. Hence improving preventive measures including vaccination and risk reduction, effective screening of HIV patients for HBV or HCV and evaluating the impact of chronic infection on the liver and finally along with early screening of hepatocellular carcinoma is required.