Hepatitis C virus co infection in HIV positive patients
Balogun, T.M.; Emmanuel, S.; Wright, K.O.
Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine 20(3): 117-120
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0189-2657 PMID: 21033318 Document Number: 571557
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co infection is reported common in HIV positive individuals and also responsible for increasing morbidity and mortality among them. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of antibodies to HCV (anti- HCV) among HIV positive patients. This cross sectional study was carried out among HIV positive patients and HIV negative blood donors. HIV infection was diagnosed in patients using Determine HIV- 1/2 rapid kits and Elisa based immunocombfirm, while Dialab Elisa kits were used for screening blood donors for HIV and also assaying anti HCV in all subjects. Anti-HCV was detected in 14.7% of patients and 1.1% of HIV negative blood donors. HIV/HCV co-infection rate was highest in the 30-39 years age group (P > 0.05). Findings demonstrate a high prevalence with 13 fold higher risk of HCV co infection among HIV-positive patients.