Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus coinfection in Nepal
Barnawal, S.P.; Niraula, S.R.; Agrahari, A.K.; Bista, N.; Jha, N.; Pokharel, P.K.
Indian Journal of Gastroenterology Official Journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology 33(2): 141-145
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0975-0711 PMID: 24078191 DOI: 10.1007/s12664-013-0407-1Document Number: 627163
The study aimed at finding prevalence, mode of transmission, and pattern of CD4 cell count among hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals in Nepal. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in three Volunteer Counseling and Testing clinics, one from Dharan and two from Kathmandu, Nepal. Three hundred and thirteen individuals were recruited. Forty-two percent of HIV-infected persons had HCV coinfection. Significant associations with HIV and HCV coinfection were male gender (p <0.001) and injection drug use (IDU) (p <0.001). The mean CD4 cell count was significantly lower in HCV coinfected individuals, compared to those without coinfection, after 1.5 years (p =0.017), 2 years (p =0.0457), 3 years (p =0.011), and 3.5 years (p <0.001) of antiretroviral therapy. HCV coinfection was common in HIV-infected individuals in Nepal and was associated with male gender, IDU, and lower CD4 counts.
Document emailed within 0-6 h
