Clinical Profile & Factors Associated with Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with HIV/AIDS: A Retrospective Analysis from Tripoli Medical Centre, Libya, 2013

In Libya, little is known about HIV-related hospitalizations and in-hospital mortality. This was a retrospective analysis of HIV-related hospitalizations at Tripoli Medical Centre in 2013. 

• Of 227 cases analysed, 
• 82.4% were males who were significantly older (40.0 versus 36.5 years), 
• reported injection drug use (58.3% versus 0%) 
• and were hepatitis C virus co-infected (65.8% versus 0%) compared with females. 
• Severe immunosuppression was prevalent (median CD4 count = 42 cell/μL). 
• Candidiasis was the most common diagnosis (26.0%); 
• Pneumocystis pneumonia was the most common respiratory disease (8.8%), 
• while cerebral toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in 8.4% of patients. 
• Current HAART use was independently associated with low risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.33), 
• while central nervous system symptoms (OR 4.12), 
• sepsis (OR 6.98) 
• and low total lymphocyte counts (OR 3.60) were associated with increased risk. 

In this study, late presentation with severe immunosuppression was common, and was associated with significant in-hospital mortality.

Full article at: http://goo.gl/8hfzJM

By: Shalaka NS1, Garred NA2, Zeglam HT2, Awasi SA2, Abukathir LA2, Altagdi ME2, Rayes AA1.

• 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Tripoli Medical Centre, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya; Department of Medicine, University of Tripoli, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya.
• 2Department of Infectious Diseases, Tripoli Medical Centre, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya.  

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Geographic Distribution of HCV Genotypes in Libya & Analysis of Risk Factors Involved in their Transmission

Below:  Geographical distribution of HCV genotypes according to the Libyan regions (color-coded). Data indicate percentage of patients infected by genotype in each region.

Below:  The distribution of HCV genotypes among different age groups of Libyan populations

Below:  The influence of gender on the distribution of HCV genotypes among Libyans

Below:  Distribution of hepatitis C genotype during the period of 2000–2006

A total of 20 discrete genotypes and subtypes were identified among the Libyan population ranging from 11.5 to 0.3 % cross the country. Genotype 1 was the most frequent among all regions (19.7–40.5 %), reaching the highest value in Tripoli region, followed by genotype 4 which was more prevalent in the South (49.3 %) and West (40.0 %) regions. Genotype 3, was higher in Tripoli (21.3 %) and East (15.9 %) regions while genotype 2, common in North (23.6 %) and South (22.5 %) regions. However, we found evidence that there is a changing relative prevalence of HCV genotypes in relation to age, gender and the mode of transmission which is reflected in the predominance of certain genotypes among Libyan population.

Different HCV genotypes were isolated form Libyan population including newly emerged ones. The prevalence of the genotypes varied by geographic region and influenced by demographic and risk factors. Knowing the frequency and distribution of the genotypes would provide key information on understanding the spread of HCV in Libya and this could be greatly reflected on national plans and future strategies for infection prevention.

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