Presence of occult HBV, but near absence of active HBV and HCV infections in people infected with HIV in rural South Africa.

[Guest guest]

J Med Virol. 2011 Jun;83(6):929-34. doi: 10.1002/jmv.22026.

Presence of occult HBV, but near absence of active HBV and HCV infections in

people infected with HIV in rural South Africa.

Barth RE, Huijgen Q, Tempelman HA, Mudrikova T, Wensing AM, Hoepelman AI.

Source

Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical

Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

r.e.barth@....

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses

are endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, but data regarding the prevalence of

hepatitis co-infections in HIV-positive individuals residing there are limited.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and occult HBV

(presence of HBV-DNA in the absence of HBsAg) in a rural, South African cohort.

The results were compared to various ethnic groups in a Dutch cohort of people

infected with HIV. Antiretroviral-naïve individuals with HIV from both a rural

South African clinic (n = 258), and a Dutch University hospital

(n = 782), were included. Both serological (HBV and HCV) and molecular

(occult HBV) assays were performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to

define independent predictors of a hepatitis co-infection. HBV and HCV

prevalence rates in the South African cohort were exceptionally low (0.4%, 1/242

and 0.8%, 2/242, respectively), compared to those observed in Caucasians (HBV

4.4% and HCV 10.9%) and African immigrants (HBV 8.9% and HCV 4.8%). Conversely,

occult HBV was observed in a considerable proportion (10%, 6/60) of South

African patients who were anti-HBc-positive but HBsAg-negative. Occult

infections were less frequent in Caucasians and Africans in the Dutch cohort

(3.2% and 1.4%, respectively). Independent predictors for occult HBV were not

identified, but a trend towards more occult HBV at lower CD4 counts was

observed. Local HBV/HCV prevalence data are needed to optimize vaccination and

antiretroviral treatment strategies. Occult HBV in patients with HIV may be

missed regularly when molecular analyses are not available.

J. Med. Virol. 83:929-934, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 21503902 [PubMed - in process]

[Guest guest]

J Med Virol. 2011 Jun;83(6):929-34. doi: 10.1002/jmv.22026.

Presence of occult HBV, but near absence of active HBV and HCV infections in

people infected with HIV in rural South Africa.

Barth RE, Huijgen Q, Tempelman HA, Mudrikova T, Wensing AM, Hoepelman AI.

Source

Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical

Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

r.e.barth@....

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses

are endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, but data regarding the prevalence of

hepatitis co-infections in HIV-positive individuals residing there are limited.

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and occult HBV

(presence of HBV-DNA in the absence of HBsAg) in a rural, South African cohort.

The results were compared to various ethnic groups in a Dutch cohort of people

infected with HIV. Antiretroviral-naïve individuals with HIV from both a rural

South African clinic (n = 258), and a Dutch University hospital

(n = 782), were included. Both serological (HBV and HCV) and molecular

(occult HBV) assays were performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to

define independent predictors of a hepatitis co-infection. HBV and HCV

prevalence rates in the South African cohort were exceptionally low (0.4%, 1/242

and 0.8%, 2/242, respectively), compared to those observed in Caucasians (HBV

4.4% and HCV 10.9%) and African immigrants (HBV 8.9% and HCV 4.8%). Conversely,

occult HBV was observed in a considerable proportion (10%, 6/60) of South

African patients who were anti-HBc-positive but HBsAg-negative. Occult

infections were less frequent in Caucasians and Africans in the Dutch cohort

(3.2% and 1.4%, respectively). Independent predictors for occult HBV were not

identified, but a trend towards more occult HBV at lower CD4 counts was

observed. Local HBV/HCV prevalence data are needed to optimize vaccination and

antiretroviral treatment strategies. Occult HBV in patients with HIV may be

missed regularly when molecular analyses are not available.

J. Med. Virol. 83:929-934, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 21503902 [PubMed - in process]