A Cross Section Study to Determine the Prevalence of Antibodies against HIV Infection among Hepatitis B and C Infected Individuals

BACKGROUND: 

There are limited data regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence among hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals. The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among HIV individuals;

METHODS: 

A total of 409 patients (126 HBV+ and 283 HCV+) referred to the Brazilian Reference Laboratory for Viral Hepatitis from 2010 to 2013 donated serum samples. Anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, anti-HBcIgM, anti-HBe, HBeAg, and anti-HCV antibodies were measured, and anti-HCV positive samples were tested for viral RNA and genotype;

RESULTS: 

The anti-HIV antibody prevalence was 10.31% and 4.59% among HBV+ and HCV+ patients, respectively. The HCV mean (SD) viral load was log 5.14 ± 1.64 IU/mL, and genotype I was most prevalent (163/283). Anti-HBs and anti-HBc were detected in 40% and 26% of HCV+ individuals, respectively. Among the HBV+ population, the presence of anti-HIV antibodies was associated with male gender, marital status (married), tattoo, sexual orientation, sexual practices (oral sex and anal sex), history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), history of viral hepatitis treatment, and a sexual partner with hepatitis or HIV. For the HCV+ group, the presence of anti-HIV antibodies was associated with female gender, marital status (married), anal intercourse, previous history of STDs, and number of sexual partners;

CONCLUSION: 

A high prevalence of anti-HIV antibodies was found among individuals with HBV and HCV, showing the importance of education programmes towards HIV infection among HBV- and HCV-infected individuals.

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/7pJhyw

By:  Flores GL1, de Almeida AJ2, Miguel JC3, Cruz HM4, Portilho MM5, de P Scalioni L6, Marques VA7, Lewis-Ximenez LL8, Lampe E9, Melo Villar L10.

• 1Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. geane@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 2Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. adilsonjoal@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 3Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. julicm@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 4Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. h.medina@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 5Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. moyramp@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 6Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. lescali@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 7Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. vmarques@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 8Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. llewis@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 9Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. elampe@ioc.fiocruz.br.
• 10Viral Hepatitis Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Rio de Janeiro 210360-040, Brazil. lvillar@ioc.fiocruz.br. 
• Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016 Mar 11;13(3). pii: E314. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13030314.

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Sero-Prevalence of HBV & Associated Risk Factors among HIV Positive Individuals Attending ART Clinic at Mekelle Hospital, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND:

Because of the shared mean of transmission, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of an important cause of co-morbidity and mortality in peoples living with HIV/AIDS. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the sero-prevalence of HBV infection and associated risk factors in HIV/AIDS positive individuals attending ART clinic at Mekelle hospital, Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia.

METHODS:

A cross sectional study was conducted from August to October 2014 in HIV/AIDS positive adult individuals. Socio-demographic data and other explanatory variables were collected from 508 study participants using pre-tested and structured questionnaire-based interviews. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was detected using commercially available rapid test and third generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bivariate and multivariate analysis, using SPSS V.20.0, were performed to assess the variables associated with HBV infection and P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS:

A total of 508 study participants, 305 females and 203 males were included in this study with the mean (+SD) age of 37.8 + 9.6. The sero-prevalence of HBsAg was 5.9 %. Male gender (AOR = 2.6, 95 % CI 1.2-5.7), multiple sexual partners (AOR = 4.2, 95 % CI 1.3-13.1) and CD4 count <200 cells/μl (AOR = 3.5, 95 % CI 1.1-11.2) were significantly associated with HBsAg positivity.

CONCLUSION:

The prevalence of HBsAg was similar to the general population. However, HIV/AIDS positive individuals with reduced CD4 count, <200 cells/μl, showed a significant association with HBsAg seropositivity. Therefore, we recommended, all HIV/AIDS positive individuals should be screened for HBsAg during their follow for better treatment outcome and minimize risks of HBV transmission.

Bivariate analysis of associated risk factors for HBV infection in Mekelle among HIV positive individuals

Variables	HBV sero status
	Total = 508	Yes = 30	No = 478	COR (95 % CI)	P value
	Total n (%)	+ve N (%)	−ve N (%)
Blood transfusion
No	467 (91.9)	27 (5.8)	440 (94.2)	1
Yes	41 (8.1)	3 (7.3)	38 (92.7)	1.3 (0.4–4.4)	0.690
Unsafe injection
No	475 (83.5)	26 (5.5)	449 (94.5)	1
Yes	33 (6.5)	4 (12.1)	29 (87.9)	2.4 (0.8–7.3)	0.128*
Multiple sexual partners
No	482 (94.9)	25 (5.2)	457 (94.8)	1
Yes	26 (5.1)	5 (19.2)	21 (80.8)	4.4 (1.5–12.5)	0.006*
Surgical history
No	408 (80.3)	20 (4.9)	388 (95.1)	1
Yes	100 (19.7)	10 (10)	90 (90)	2.2 (1.0–4.8)	0.058*
Tooth extraction
No	319 (62.8)	20 (6.3)	299 (93.7)	1
Yes	189 (37.2)	10 (5.3)	179 (94.7)	0.8 (0.4–1.8)	0.651
Abortion
No	475 (93.5)	29 (6.1)	446 (93.9)	1
Yes	33 (6.5)	1 (3)	32 (97.0)	0.5 (0.1–3.6)	0.478
Tattooing
No	447 (88)	27 (6)	420 (94)	1
Yes	61 (12)	3 (4.9)	58 (95.1)	0.8 (0.2–2.7)	0.728
Family having liver disease
No	468 (92)	28 (6)	440 (94)	1
Yes	40 (7.9)	2 (5)	38 (95)	0.8 (0.2–3.6)	0.800
CD4 count
<200 cells/μl	85 (16.5)	9 (10.6)	76 (89.4.)	3.9 (1.3–12.1)	0.018*
200–350 cells/μl	118 (23.2)	7 (5.9)	111 (94.1)	2.1 (0.6–6.7)	0.221
351–499 cells/μl	135 (26.6)	9 (6.7)	126 (93.3)	2.4 (0.8–7.2)	0.133*
≧500 cells/μl	170 (33.5)	5 (2.9)	165 (97.1)	1
ART status
Pre ART	65 (12.8)	2 (3.1)	63 (96.9)	1
ART	443 (87.2)	28 (6.3)	415 (93.7)	2.1 (0.5–9.1)	0.311
ART drugs
AZT,3T, Nuv	106 (24.5)	7 (6.6)	99 (93.4)	1.2 (0.5–3.4)	0.678
AZT,3T, Evf	58 (13.4)	6 (10.3)	52 (89.7)	2.0 (0.7–6.0)	0.200
TDF,3T, Nuv	101 (23.4)	6 (5.9)	95 (94.1)	1.1 (0.4–3.2)	0.849
TDF,3T, EFV	167 (38.7)	9 (5.4)	158 (94.6)	1

COR crude odds ratio

* Statistically significant at P < 0.2

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/fVPpuR

By:  Weldemhret L1, Asmelash T2, Belodu R2, Gebreegziabiher D2.

• 1Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Mekelle Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
• 2Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia.
• AIDS Res Ther. 2016 Feb 4;13:6. doi: 10.1186/s12981-016-0090-2. eCollection 2016. 

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Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection in Areas with a High Prevalence of HCV in the Republic of Korea in 2013

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Busan, Gyeongnam, and Jeonnam Provinces in Korea is more than twice the national average. This study aimed to examine whether demographic and lifestyle characteristics are associated with HCV infection in these areas.

METHODS:

A case control study was performed at three study hospitals. HCV cases were matched with two controls for sex and age. Patient controls were selected from non-HCV patients at the same hospital. Healthy controls were subjects participating in medical checkups. Conditional logistic regression models were used.

RESULTS:

A total of 234 matched-case and patient- and healthy-control pairs were analyzed. The significant risk factors for both controls were sharing razors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.39 and 3.29, respectively) and having more than four lifetime sexual partners (aOR, 2.15 and 6.89, respectively). Contact dockworkers (aOR, 1.91) and tattoos (aOR, 2.20) were significant risk factors for the patient controls. Transfusion (aOR, 5.38), a bloody operation (aOR, 5.02), acupuncture (aOR, 2.08), and piercing (aOR, 5.95) were significant risk factors for the healthy controls. Needle stick injuries and intravenous drug abuse were significant in the univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS:

More education concerning the dangers of sharing razors, tattoos and piercings is required to prevent HCV infection. More attention should be paid to needle stick injuries in hospitals and the community.

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/0O7JnR

By:  Sohn HS1, Kim JR2, Ryu SY3, Lee YJ4, Lee MJ5, Min HJ6, Lee J7, Choi HY8, Song YJ9, Ki M8.

• 1Department of Preventive Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
• 2Department of Preventive Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
• 3Department of Preventive Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
• 4Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.
• 5Department of Health and Medical Administration, Suncheon Jeil College, Suncheon, Korea.
• 6Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
• 7Department of Internal Medicine, Chosun University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
• 8Department of Cancer Control and Policy, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea.
• 9Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea. 
• Gut Liver. 2016 Jan 23;10(1):126-32. doi: 10.5009/gnl14403.

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Hepatitis C Seroprevalence and Risk Factors in Adult Population of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province of Iran in 2013

Hepatitis C is the second leading viral infectious disease worldwide. In Iran, hepatitis C is the most important and prevalent reason for chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis in the multi transfused population.

This study was conducted to determine seroprevalence and burden of hepatitis C in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province and to plan for controlling it.

For this analytical, population-based study, 3000 samples were older than 15 years old and were enrolled from urban and rural areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, southwest Iran per cluster sampling. Written informed consent was obtained from the participants and the demographic data, transmission route and risk factors were collected after blood sample taking. Hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV Ab) and western blotting were consecutively run.

Data analysis was done by SPSS 19 using descriptive statistics, and chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression Ap value of 0.05 was considered as the level of significance.

The prevalence of HCV Ab was obtained 1.4% (95% CI, 0.95-1.7) and that of positive hepatitis C by western blotting 0.9% (95% CI, 0.65-1.3). The prevalence in men (1.2%) was obtained two times higher than women. The highest prevalence was obtained in 35 to 44-year-old population (2%). The prevalence was higher in married individuals and less in higher educated. History of hospital stay, first degree relatives infected with HCV, jaundice, history of blood transfusion, tattoo, outpatient surgery, imprisonment, contact with the infected, intravenous (IV) drug abuse, and smoking had significant association with disease prevalence (p<0.05). The highest odds ratio was obtained for history of IV drug abuse (OR=38.2, 95% CI, 14.06-103.9) followed by imprisonment (OR=8.9, 95% CI, 2.97-26.6). However, by logistic regression only history of IV drug abuse was obtained as significant (p<0.05).

Hepatitis C is growing and emerging as the most prevalent chronic, viral hepatic disease, so further consideration of risk factors and routes of transmission is crucial for appropriate planning for, and preventing, treating, and controlling hepatitis C. IV drug abusers as the most important group need special consideration and surveillance in order to cut infection chain and decrease the disease incidence.

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/7zb3Vy

By: Moezzi M1, Imani R2, Karimi A3, Pourheidar B4.

• 1Faculty, Department of Community Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences , Shahrekord, IR Iran.
• 2Faculty, Department of Infectious Diseases, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences , Shahrekord, IR Iran .
• 3Faculty, Department of Microbiology, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences , Shahrekord, IR Iran .
• 4Central Disease Control Unit, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences , Shahrekord, IR Iran .

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Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in the East Azerbaijan Province, Northwest of Iran

This study was performed in response to the rapid propagation of HIV/AIDS across Iran and its status in this region. Accordingly, an evidence-based program is required to combat this disease.

The present study estimated the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in East Azerbaijan (population: 3,724,000).

We created a database of all positive cases from 1987 to 2012. We also analyzed and described the epidemiological status of HIV/AIDS during a 25-year period by using SPSS.

In East Azerbaijan, 371 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported, i.e. 1 case per 10,000 population. The vast majority of reported cases (91%) were men, whereas only 9% were women. The mean age of patients was 30.8 ± 12.3 years. Unsafe drug injection (59%) and sexual interaction (13%) were the two major modes of HIV transmission. In addition, 7% of patients have been diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B Virus, and hepatitis C virus simultaneously. Moreover, 60% of men were infected via drug injection, while 82% of women were infected via unprotected sexual interaction.

The results indicate a rapid increase in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in East Azerbaijan, necessitating immediate attention and strategies to combat the rapid spread of the disease. Development of provincial and national HIV/AIDS strategies demands more accurate and comprehensive HIV/AIDS surveillance.

Below:  Percentage of frequency in Patients with HIV/AIDS in East Azerbaijan, Iran from 1987 to 2012

Below:  Current Status of Patients with HIV/AIDS Who Have Registered by Council Centers in East Azerbaijan

Table 1.

Demographic Characteristics of Patients With HIV/AIDS in East Azerbaijan, Iran From 1987 to 2012 a,b

Characteristics	Values
Sex
Male	338 (91)
Female	33 (9)
Total	371 (100)
Age ,y
0 – 20	42 (11)
20 - 40	264 (71)
≥ 40	65 (18)
Total	371 (100)
Education level
Illiterate	37 (10)
Primary and secondary school	214 (58)
University	7 (2)
Unknown	113 (30)
Total	371 (100)
Marital status
Single	200 (54)
Married	122 (33)
Unknown	49 (13)
Total	371 (100)
Hometown
Tabriz	228 (61)
Maragheh	44 (12)
Myaneh	26 (7)
Other	57 (15)
Unknown	16 (5)
Total	371 (100)
Transmission route
IDU	219 (59)
IDU and unprotected sex	51 (14)
Unprotected sex	42 (11)
Blood transfusion	10 (2.5)
Vertical transmission	3 (0.8)
Unprotected sex and tattooing	3 (0.8)
IDU and blood transfusion	1 (0.3)
Tattooing	1 (0.3)
Needling	1 (0.3)
Unknown	40 (11)
Total	371 (100)

a Data are presented as No. (%).

b IDU: injection drug use.

Full article at: http://goo.gl/Uo1ruS

By: Seyyed Mortaza Haghgoo,1 Hadi Joula,1 Ramin Mohammadzadeh,1 Siamak Sabour,2 Reza Yousefi,3 Gholamreza Ghahramani,3 and Ali A. R. Rahimi4,*

1Student Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran

2Department of Clinical Epidemiology (COH), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran

3Health Center of East Azerbaijan Province, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran

4Department of Medical Microbiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran

  

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