Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus co-infection among people living with HIV/AIDS visiting antiretroviral therapy centres in Nepal: a first nationally representative study

HCV Co-Infection and Its Genotypic Distribution in HIV-Infected Patients in Nepalese Population

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) co-infection and its genotypic distribution in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) show global inconsistency. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genotypic distribution patterns of HCV, along with viral load, in people living with HIV. This cross-sectional study was conducted at SRL Diagnostics Nepal, Pvt. Ltd. in 203 HIV-seropositive patients attending the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal from October 2021 to May 2022. The viral load and HCV genotypes were estimated from RNA extracted from the blood sample (plasma) of PLHIV by using a standard Q-PCR protocol. HCV infection was considered as a core variable, whereas covariates used for this study were duration of HIV infection, age, sex, and ART regimen. Out of total 203 PLHIV, the estimated prevalence of HCV co-infection was 115 (56.6%). Male gender was a unique characteristic associated with a high prevalence of HCV co-infection compared to females. The HCV viral load among PLHIV ranged from 34 to 3,000,000 IU/mL. Among HCV co-infected PLHIV, 56 (48.69%) had a low level of HCV viral load. Interestingly, only 3 (2.6%) patients had an HCV viral load higher than 3,000,000 IU/mL. Diverse HCV genotypes were found in the population, including genotypes 1, 1a, 3a, 5a, and 6. However, genotype 3 was the most prevalent HCV variant among HCV-co-infected PLHIV, with a distribution of 36 (61.1%) and viral load ranging from 34 to 3000 IU/mL. HCV co-infection is frequent in the Nepalese population of people living with HIV, particularly due to HCV genotypic variant 3. The findings of this study could be useful for the management and clearance of the HCV co-infection in PLHIV, aiming to provide a good quality of life.

Proportion of syphilis and hepatitis B and C virus infections among the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre attendees of a tertiary care hospital

Introduction

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects the immune system of the body, causing a breakdown in its normal defenses and leaving it vulnerable to a host of life-threatening diseases. High-risk behaviors and routes of transmission for sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are identical with HIV. This study was conducted to assess the proportion of syphilis and hepatitis B and C virus infections in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, and their association with socioeconomic and other factors in Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) attendees, and to determine the association of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte count with these co-infections in HIV-positive individuals.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital. It included 100 HIV-positive individuals and 100 matched HIV-negative controls attending the ICTC. HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy and patients with history of current/past treatment for chronic hepatitis infection were excluded from the study. Blood samples were tested for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and C infections.

Results

The prevalence of syphilis, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C was observed in 3.5%, 2%, and 10% of patients, respectively. The frequency of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals was 1% and 3%, respectively. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients was 16% and 4%, respectively. Syphilis was seen in 7% of the HIV-infected patients. The mean CD4+ count for the HIV-positive patients with either syphilis, HBV, or HCV infections was 252 ± 137.5 cells/μl. Significant associations between HIV infection and education below high school, IV drug abuse, and multiple sexual partners were observed.

Conclusions

The HIV-infected patients were observed to be at an increased risk of acquiring syphilis and HCV co-infections through the shared routes of transmission. Routine screening of these patients for concurrent syphilis and viral hepatitis may aid in prompt diagnosis and treatment with improved outcomes, which in turn may decrease the further spread of these infections.

HIV Infection Predisposes to Increased Chances of HBV Infection: Current Understanding of the Mechanisms Favoring HBV Infection at Each Clinical Stage of HIV Infection

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) selectively targets and destroys the infection-fighting CD4+ T-lymphocytes of the human immune system, and has a life cycle that encompasses binding to certain cells, fusion to that cell, reverse transcription of its genome, integration of its genome into the host cell DNA, replication of the HIV genome, assembly of the HIV virion, and budding and subsequent release of free HIV virions. Once a host is infected with HIV, the host’s ability to competently orchestrate effective and efficient immune responses against various microorganisms, such as viral infections, is significantly disrupted. Without modern antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV is likely to gradually destroy the cellular immune system, and thus the initial HIV infection will inexorably evolve into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Generally, HIV infection in a patient has an acute phase, a chronic phase, and an AIDS phase. During these three clinical stages, patients are found with relatively specific levels of viral RNA, develop rather distinctive immune conditions, and display unique clinical manifestations. Convergent research evidence has shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infection, a common cause of chronic liver disease, is fairly common in HIV-infected individuals. HBV invasion of the liver can be facilitated by HIV infection at each clinical stage of the infection due to a number of contributing factors, including having identical transmission routes, immunological suppression, gut microbiota dysbiosis, poor vaccination immune response to hepatitis B immunization, and drug hepatotoxicity. However, there remains a paucity of research investigation which critically describes the influence of the different HIV clinical stages and their consequences which tend to favor HBV entrenchment in the liver. Herein, we review advances in the understanding of the mechanisms favoring HBV infection at each clinical stage of HIV infection, thus paving the way toward development of potential strategies to reduce the prevalence of HBV co-infection in the HIV-infected population.

Co-infection of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C among HIV-infected patients: A cross-sectional study from tertiary care hospital of eastern Nepal

Introduction

This study was conducted with an objective to analyze prevalence and risk factors associated with co-infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in HIV-positive patients with reference to their CD4+ T cell status.

Materials and methods

HIV-positive patients visiting the HIV clinic for CD4+ T cells testing at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences were tested for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Data regarding age, gender, mode of HIV transmission, duration of HIV diagnosis, antiretroviral therapy status, antiretroviral therapy duration, hepatitis B or C status, and CD4+ T cells count were collected via face-to-face interview, and hospital records. The data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2019 v16.0 (Microsoft, WA, USA) and statistical analysis was performed by using statistical package for social sciences, IBM SPSS® v21 (IBM, Armonk, New York).

Results

Out of 474 HIV-positive patients, HIV-HBV, HIV-HCV, and HIV-HBV-HCV co-infections were seen in 2.95% (14/474), 18.14% (86/474), and 2.53% (12/474) respectively. The primary route of infection was intra-venous drug use (IVDU) in those co-infected with HBV only (8, 57.14%), HCV only (46, 53.49%), and both HBV and HCV (8, 66.67%). HIV patients infected via IVDU were 2.40 times more likely to have HIV-HCV co-infection as compared to those infected via sexual route (AOR 2.40, 95% CI: 1.49,3.86). Similarly, HIV patients with CD4+ T cells count less than 350 cells/mm³ were more likely to have HIV-HBV-HCV co-infection as compared to those with CD4 count equal to and more than 350 cells/mm³ (AOR 13.84, 95% CI: 2.90,66.10).

Conclusion

HIV-positive patients are at high risk of hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C co-infection. Intravenous drug use, and lower CD4+T cells count are the most important risk predictors of co-infection. All HIV-positive patients should be carefully screened with hepatitis B and hepatitis C tests during their follow-up.

Role of unsafe medical practices and sexual behaviours in the hepatitis B and C syndemic and HIV co-infection in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

This study describes the burden of the hepatitis B, C and HIV co-infections and assesses associated risk factors.

SETTING

This analysis used data from a viral hepatitis screening campaign conducted in six districts in Rwanda from April to May 2019. Ten health centres per district were selected according to population size and distance.

PARTICIPANTS

The campaign collected information from 156 499 participants (51 496 males and 104 953 females) on sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural characteristics. People who were not Rwandan by nationality or under 15 years old were excluded.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES

The outcomes of interest included chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, HIV infection, co-infection HIV/HBV, co-infection HIV/HCV, co-infection HBV/HCV and co-infection HCV/HBV/HIV. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to assess factors associated with HBV, HCV and HIV, mono and co-infections.

RESULTS

Of 156 499 individuals screened, 3465 (2.2%) were hepatitis B surface antigen positive and 83% (2872/3465) of them had detectable HBV desoxy-nucleic acid (HBV DNA). A total of 4382 (2.8%) individuals were positive for antibody-HCV (anti-HCV) and 3163 (72.2%) had detectable HCV ribo-nucleic acid (RNA). Overall, 36 (0.02%) had HBV/HCV co-infection, 153 (0.1%) HBV/HIV co-infection, 238 (0.15%) HCV/HIV co-infection and 3 (0.002%) had triple infection. Scarification or receiving an operation from traditional healer was associated with all infections. Healthcare risk factors-history of surgery or transfusion-were associated with higher likelihood of HIV infection with OR 1.42 (95% CI 1.21 to 1.66) and OR 1.48 (1.29 to 1.70), respectively, while history of physical traumatic assault was associated with a higher likelihood of HIV and HBV/HIV co-infections with OR 1.69 (95% CI 1.51 to 1.88) and OR 1.82 (1.08 to 3.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, mono-infections were common and there were differences in significant risk factors associated with various infections. These findings highlight the magnitude of co-infections and differences in underlying risk factors that are important for designing prevention and care programmes.

Global prevalence of HCV and/or HBV coinfections among people who inject drugs and female sex workers who live with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Coinfections of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or hepatitis B virus (HBV) with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are associated with high morbidity and mortality and poor prognosis. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HCV and/or HBV coinfections among people who inject drugs (PWID) and female sex workers (FSWs) who live with HIV/AIDS worldwide. Data sources were searched from January 2008 to October 2018 in different databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Ovid. Data were analyzed in Stata 14 software using the Metaprop command. The results showed that the prevalence of HCV among PWID and FSWs with HIV/AIDS was 72% (95% CI: 59%-83%) and 40% (95% CI: 0%-94%), respectively. The prevalence of HBV among PWID and FSWs with HIV/AIDS was 8% (95% CI: 5%-13%) and 2% (95% CI: 0%-7%), respectively, and the prevalence of HCV/HBV in PWID with HIV/AIDS was 11% (95% CI: 7%-15%). The highest prevalence of HCV was observed in PWID in the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe regions, and the lowest was observed in the Africa region. The South-East Asia region had the highest prevalence of HBV among PWID, and the Africa region had the lowest prevalence. The high prevalence of HCV coinfection among PWID and FSWs with HIV/AIDS was an alarming health problem and requires appropriate interventions. Therefore, considering that these populations are key populations for HCV elimination, it is recommended to screen them regularly for HCV. In addition, harm reduction and HBV vaccination should be carefully considered.

Risk factors associated with hepatitis B and C in rural population of Burera district, Rwanda

Introduction

Several studies have shown that older people have a higher risk of exposure to viral hepatitis B and C than younger people. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C and their associated factors in people aged 45+ years old in Burera, a rural district of Rwanda.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted from July to December 2017 during a mass campaign of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) screening and vaccination of eligible populations against HBV in Burera District. Blood samples were collected and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and an antibody against hepatitis C (Anti-HCV) were detected using an Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The associated factors were identified using a structured questionnaire and the data was analyzed using SPSS software.

Results

Of the 374 people included in this study, 53.2% were females. The median age was 56 years old with an interquartile range (IQR) of 50 - 63 years old. The prevalence of HBV and HCV infection was 6.4% and 9.4%, respectively, with 0.3% co-infection rate. Age, social economic level, history of blood transfusion, history of never using a condom, as well as a history of injury with a used sharp material were significantly associated with HCV infection.

Conclusion

The study showed a high seroprevalence of both HBV and HCV in Burera’s elderly population aged 45+ years. Several factors associated with HBV and HCV in this study could be prevented through education and improved hygiene.

Sero-Occurrence of HBV/HCV Co-infection and Levels of Liver Enzymes among Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India: a Pilot Study

Introduction

Hepatitis B and C viral infections share common modes of transmission and account for a large proportion of liver disease burden across the globe. Patients with Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection may have more severe liver disease and are potentially at higher risk for developing hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the sero-occurrence of HBV/HCV co-infection by examining the medical records of tertiary care hospital patients in Central India and determine the extent of liver damage based on liver function tests (LFTs).

Methods

Patients with a positive test for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) over a period of 10 years were identified from laboratory records in a tertiary care facility in central India. Records of 51,075 consecutive non-duplicate blood samples were then screened for a positive HBV and HCV tests. LFT, liver enzymes, and bilirubin data were also extracted. Means and standard deviations were determined for continuous variables, and the difference in means was compared using a independent samples t-test. Associations between HBV/HCV co-infection status and demographic variables were calculated using Pearson's Chi-squared test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

In this study, 1674 (3.27%) screened patients were positive for HBsAg and the sero-occurrence of co-infection with HCV in HBsAg positive patients was reported in 28 individuals (1.67%). There was no significant gender difference for HBV/HCV co-infection (p>0.05). HBV/HCV co-infection was observed more frequently in the 31-60 year old age group (p=0.001). HBV/HCV co-infected patients had significantly higher levels of liver enzymes and bilirubin than those with HBsAg mono-infection (p=0.001).

Conclusion

Liver function tests are potentially important predictors for HBV/HCV coinfection. Screening for HCV co-infection in HBsAg-positive patients is recommended in India. Detection of co-infection may enable timely preventive/therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing progression to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Late Response of Antiretroviral Therapy in an HIV-1-Infected Patient due to Hepatitis B and C Coinfections: The First Case Report in Nepal

Aim

Dual coinfection of HCV and HBV in HIV-1-infected population is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Also, they share routes of HIV transmission; however, it might be associated with an independent factor like injecting drug use for HCV and unsafe sex for HBV. This case report suggests that hepatitis virus coinfection may lead to late response of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-1 patients.

Patients and Methods

A 49-year-old male patient visited for the routine follow-up investigation at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Teku, Nepal. He was an HIV-1-positive injecting drug user (IDU) co-infected with HCV and HBV. The patient was under ART as per the National HIV Testing and Treatment Guidelines 2017, Nepal. Further, serological and viral load testing was performed for confirmation and monitoring therapy, respectively.

Results

It is the first report that highlights the dual coinfection of HCV and HBV in an HIV-1 patient from Nepal. The follow-up investigation shows improved response to ART with an increase in CD4+ cells. However, detectable viral loads indicated for a late response might be due to effects of coinfections or viral interactions.

Conclusions

Dual coinfection is rare; however, it is more serious with poorly defined epidemiology and evolution in an HIV-1-infected population. Thus, universal screening of HBV or/and HCV coinfection in HIV-1-infected population requires immediate implementation for true prevalence, proper management, and early intervention.

Syndemic Characterization of HCV, HBV, and HIV Co-infections in a Large Population Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available on HBV, HCV, and HIV co-infections and triple infection. We characterized co-occurrence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections at the population level in British Columbia (BC) to identify patterns of predisposing factors unique to co-infection subgroups.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the BC Hepatitis Testers Cohort, which includes all individuals tested for HCV or HIV in BC between 1992 and 2013, or included in provincial public health registries of HIV, HCV, HBV, and active tuberculosis. Individuals were classified as negative, mono-, and co-infection groups based on HIV, HBV, and HCV status. We evaluated associations between risk factors (injection drug use, sexual orientation etc.) and co-infection groups using multivariate multinomial logistic regression.

FINDINGS

Of a total of 1,376,989 individuals included in the analysis, 1,276,290 were negative and 100,699 were positive for HIV, HBV, and/or HCV. Most cases (91,399, 90.8%) were mono-infected, while 3991 (4.0%) had HBV/HCV, 670 HBV/HIV (0.7%), 3459 HCV/HIV (3.4%), and 1180 HBV/HCV/HIV (1.2%) co-infection. Risk factor and demographic distribution varied across co-infection categories. MSM classification was associated with higher odds of all HIV co-infection groups, particularly HBV/HIV (OR 6.8; 95% CI: 5.6, 8.27), while injection drug use was most strongly associated with triple infection (OR 64.19; 95% CI: 55.11, 74.77) and HIV/HCV (OR 23.23; 95% CI: 21.32, 25.31).

INTERPRETATION

Syndemics of substance use, sexual practices, mental illness, socioeconomic marginalization, and co-infections differ among population groups, highlighting avenues for optimal composition and context for health services to meet each population's unique needs.

FUNDING

BC Centre for Disease Control and Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Detecting spatial clusters of HIV and hepatitis coinfections

BACKGROUND

People with HIV infection in the United States are often affected by chronic viral hepatitis. These coinfected people with either HBV or HCV are at increased risk for serious, life-threatening complications. Coinfections with viral hepatitis may also complicate the delivery of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) by escalating the risk of drug-related hepatoxicity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 10 percent of people with HIV in the United States also have HBV, and 25 percent also have HCV coinfection. With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the increased life-expectancy of HIV patients, clinicians are more likely to be confronted with issues related to co-infection and the management challenges that they present, especially in resource-limited settings. The purpose of this analysis was to identify geographical clusters of HIV- (HBV/HCV) co-infection and compared to the geographical clusters of not co-infected using DC, Department of Health surveillance data. The results of the analysis will be used to target resources to areas at risk.

METHODS

HIV and Hepatitis surveillance data were matched among cases diagnosed between 1980 and 2016. HIV-hepatitis co-infected and the not co-infected spatial clusters were detected using discrete Poisson model. Kulldorff's spatial scan statistic method was implemented in the free software tool called SaTScan which has been widely adopted for detecting disease cluster. The analysis was conducted by tracts, but for visualization, ease of interpretation and assist in policy making the tract map was overlaid with the ward map using ArcGIS 10.5.1.

RESULTS

Between 1980 and 2016, there were 12,965 diagnosed cases of HIV, of which 2,316 HIV/Hepatitis matches were identified. Of the 2316 co-infected people living in DC, 25 percent (N = 590) of people had HBV, and 75 percent (N = 1,726) had HCV. Out of 12,965 diagnosed cases, remaining 10,649 did not have any co-infections (not co-infected). IDU (27.16 percent) and MSM (32.86 percent) were the highest mode of transmission for co-infected population. African-American were reported 83.64 percent (N = 1,937) among co-infection population. Three clusters were identified for both co-infected population in DC. The largest cluster radius for co-infected analysis covers wards 6, 7 and 8 as well as large parts of 2 and 5 (p < 0.001). Multiple clusters were identified for not co-infected population (p < 0.001). IDU (n = 450) was the highest mode of transmission for the co-infected clusters. For all clusters combined of not co-infected population highest mode of transmission were MSM (n = 2,534). This analysis also showed racial disparity, economic deprivation and lack of education were prominent in the co-infected clusters.

CONCLUSION

We identified locations of high risk clusters where enhanced hepatitis and HIV prevention, treatment, and care can help combat the epidemic. The clusters radius expands into the neighboring state of Maryland as well. The findings from this analysis will be used to target area based public health policy and healthcare interventions for HIV-hepatitis. It is recommended based on the analysis that needle exchange programs can successfully control new HIV infections as well as hepatitis co-infections.

Epidemiological Profile and Risk Factors for Acquiring HBV and/or HCV in HIV-Infected Population Groups in Nepal

HBV and HCV infections are widespread among the HIV-infected individuals in Nepal. The goals of this study were to investigate the epidemiological profile and risk factors for acquiring HBV and/or HCV coinfection in disadvantaged HIV-positive population groups in Nepal. We conducted a retrospective study on blood samples from HIV-positive patients from the National Public Health Laboratory at Kathmandu to assay for HBsAg, HBeAg, and anti-HCV antibodies, HIV viral load, and CD4+ T cell count. Among 579 subjects, the prevalence of HIV-HBV, HIV-HCV, and HIV-HBV-HCV coinfections was 3.62%, 2.93%, and 0.34%, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that spouses of HIV-positive migrant labourers were at significant risk for coinfection with HBV infection, and an age of >40 years in HIV-infected individuals was identified as a significant risk factor for HCV coinfection. Overall our study indicates that disadvantaged population groups such as intravenous drug users, migrant workers and their spouses, female sex workers, and men who have sex with HIV-infected men are at a high and persistent risk of acquiring viral hepatitis. We conclude that Nepalese HIV patients should receive HBV and HCV diagnostic screening on a regular basis.