The Epidemiology of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Patients Attending the Federal Dental Clinic, Enugu

Viral hepatitis B and C co-infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus among adult patients attending selected highly active anti-retroviral therapy clinics in Nigeria's capital

Hepatitis B and C are liver diseases caused by hepatitis B and C viruses, and co-infection in HIV-positive individuals is common, with increased mortality and morbidity. This study determined the seroprevalence of HIV co-infection with the two viruses among patients attending three major hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. From February to July 2019, 311 sera samples were collected from HIV positive patients and screened for Hepatitis B and C infection. Immunochromatographic and ELISA techniques for HBsAg and HCV were used. Socio-demographic features and responses to risk factors were obtained using questionnaires. Patients' data and results obtained were analyzed with SPSS version 25. The prevalence of HIV/HBV/HCV, HIV/HBV, and HIV/HCV co-infection were 0.64%, 6.43%, and 3.86%, respectively. The triple infection and both co-infections were preponderant among females than males, with a prevalence rate of 0.64%, 3.85%, 2.57%, and 0%, 2.57%, 1.29%, respectively. People aged 31-40 years had the highest triple infection (0.64%) and HIV/HCV infection rate (2.57%), while patients aged 21-30 years had the highest HBV co-infection (3.22%) rates. Widowed patients had the most co-infection rate in all cases. High-risk behavior indicated that there was a significant association between blood donation/reception and engagement in unprotected sex and HIV/HBV/HCV co-infection. The other risk factors revealed no significant effect (p > .05). There was generally a low rate of exposure to associated risk factors. This study highlighted the endemicity of hepatitis virus co-infection in Abuja and the existence of few reports of HIV co-infection with HBV and HCV compared to the nation's population.

Distribution of hepatitis C virus genotypes amongst the beta-thalassemia patients in North of Iran

Beta-thalassemia patients have high prevalence for HCV infection. In developing countries, HCV antibody is reported to be high in this group of patients. This study carried out to determine the distribution of HCV genotypes amongst the beta-thalassemia patients in North of Iran. The present study has been carried out between February and March 2010 amongst a group of 245 beta-thalassemia patients (125 male and 120 female) referred to the hospitals Mazandaran and Guilan provinces for a blood transfusion. Qualitative analysis of these samples using ELISA and PCR. The PCR positive samples were subjected to genotyping by RFLP method. Of total 245 beta-thalassemia patients who were the subjects of this study, 28 of these patients were diagnosed through PCR test to have RNA virus. For this reason, the prevalence of this illness in this study group was estimated as 11.42%. By using the RFLP technique, the above genotyping were identified and the prevalence of three genotypes, including 3a, 1a and 1b were proved. The genotype 3a was most prevalent. Out of 28 positive samples, 18 (64.3%) samples had this genotype. After that, genotype 1a with 9 positive occurrences (32.1%) and genotype 1b with only 1 positive occurrence (3.6%) were most prevalent. This study demonstrated that the main reason the beta-thalassemia patients became infected with the genotype of the virus was due to receiving infected blood that entered into Iran during the past two decades.

Risk factors for hepatitis C virus transmission obscure in nigerian patients

Aim. To determine the prevalence of anti-HCV and risk factors associated with HCV infection in Nigerians. Materials and Method. Patients attending a general outpatient clinic were administered a structured questionnaire on the risk factors for HCV infection. They were also tested for anti-HCV using a third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Result. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 4.7%. Among the risk factors evaluated, none was found to be significantly associated with anti-HCV seropositivity. Conclusion. The risk factors associated with HCV infection in Nigerian patients are obscure. This warrants further studies on the epidemiology of this important cause of liver disease.