A Tale of Two Viruses: Seroepidemiological and a Cross-Sectional Insights into HIV/HBV Coinfection in Selected Hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria

Authors

  • Elenwo Mercy Virus & Genomics Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, 500102 Nigeria.
  • Okerentugba Phillip O. Virus & Genomics Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, 500102 Nigeria.
  • Oketah Edith Nnenna Virus & Genomics Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, 500102 Nigeria.
  • Iheanyi Okonko O. Virus & Genomics Research Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, 500102 Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55677/IJCSMR/V3I10-01/2023

Keywords:

Antibodies, Coinfection, HBV, HIV, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a circular DNA virus with humans serving as the only reservoir, remains a worldwide public health problem. The similarity in transmission routes for HBV and HIV makes co-infection very common. Thus, this study aimed at unveiling the seroepidemiological patterns of HBV coinfections among HIV-infected individuals in some selected hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 350 HIV-infected individuals attending ART clinics at selected hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria.  Sociodemographic data were collected based on interviewer-based questionnaire, and clinical history was obtained from participants' medical records. Serological analysis for HBsAg was done using ELISA method.

Results: Of the 350 HIV-infected patients, 9(2.6%) were positive for HBsAg. The majority of HIV/HBV coinfected participants were in age groups >41 (3.7%), females (2.9%), singles (3.0%), tertiary education holders (3.5%), and business owners (1.1%) as shown in Table 1. Furthermore, immunological and virological markers analysis revealed that HBV seropositivity is more common with patients having CD4 count of 350-499 cells/mm3 (6.2%) and viral loads as target not detected (TND) with 5.4%.

Conclusion: This study observed an HIV/HBV coinfection rate of 2.6% which has further confirmed the persistence of HIV/HBV co-infection in Rivers State, Nigeria. Ongoing and persistent public health interventions among the study population are thereby advocated.

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Published

2023-10-12

How to Cite

Elenwo Mercy, Okerentugba Phillip O., Oketah Edith Nnenna, & Okonko O., I. (2023). A Tale of Two Viruses: Seroepidemiological and a Cross-Sectional Insights into HIV/HBV Coinfection in Selected Hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria. International Journal of Clinical Science and Medical Research, 3(10), 185–190. https://doi.org/10.55677/IJCSMR/V3I10-01/2023