Abstract | OBJECTIVE: There are an estimated 350 million hepatitis B carriers worldwide. In South Africa the prevalence of mono- infection with hepatitis B has been estimated to range from 1% in urban areas to approximately 10% in rural areas. The exact prevalence of hepatitis B in the HIV-infected population has not been well established. Hepatitis B screening is not standard practice in government HIV clinics. Co-infection with hepatitis B and HIV can influence antiretroviral treatment and prognosis of both diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis B/ HIV coinfection. DESIGN: This is believed to be the first prospective observational report on the prevalence of hepatitis B/HIV co-infection in South Africa. Patients on whom hepatitis B serological tests could not have been done previously were recruited from an HIV clinic in a regional hospital in Johannesburg. Standard hepatitis B serological tests were performed. RESULTS: Five hundred and two participants were screened. The cohort's average age was 37 +/- 9 years and the average CD4 count was 128 cells/pi. Twenty-four (4.80%) were hepatitis B surface antigen positive. Nearly half (47%) of the participants showed some evidence of hepatitis B exposure. The risk of hepatitis B co-infection was not significantly different when analysed in terms of sex, race, CD4 count or age. Liver function tests were not a good predictor of hepatitis B infection. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Cynthia Firnhaber, Anne Reyneke, Doreen Schulze, Babatyi Malope, Mhairi Maskew, Patrick MacPhail, Ian Sanne, Adrian Di Bisceglie |
Journal | South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
(S Afr Med J)
Vol. 98
Issue 7
Pg. 541-4
(Jul 2008)
ISSN: 0256-9574 [Print] South Africa |
PMID | 18785395
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
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Topics |
- Adult
- Ambulatory Care Facilities
(statistics & numerical data)
- Comorbidity
- Female
- HIV Infections
(epidemiology, physiopathology)
- Hepatitis B
(epidemiology, immunology, physiopathology)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
(blood)
- Humans
- Male
- Prevalence
- Prognosis
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Assessment
- Risk Factors
- South Africa
(epidemiology)
- Urban Population
(statistics & numerical data)
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