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Abstract
Hepatitis C virus co-infection in HIV infected patients: a North Indian cohort study
Singla A.1, Arora S.K.2
Objectives: Co-infection of HCV in HIV infected patients has become the leading non-AIDS cause of death in co-infected subjects, with only limited information available on its prevalence in India. The aim of this study was to determine the epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection and its correlation with HIV disease status in HIV patients from northern India.
Methods: A total of 520 HIV positives, 129 HIV negatives with high risk behaviour and 80 healthy blood donors from Northern India, were screened for anti HCV antibodies using a third generation ELISA kit and reactive samples confirmed using a qualitative membrane based immunoassay.CD4 cell count was determined in case of HIV-positives by flowcytometry.
Results: Among HIV-positive individuals 16.16% were anti-HCV reactive, while in case of the HIV-negative high risk group 13.95% were anti-HCV reactive. Co-infection rates among HIV-positive individuals having a history of blood transfusion or sexual promiscuity were 25% and 10.42% respectively. The state of Haryana had the highest prevalence (19.04%), and Chandigarh the lowest (9.43%). Majority of the co-infected patients were in the age group of 21-40 years (67.85%; p < 0.05) and predominantly males (64.29%; p < 0.05). The highest percentage of the co-infected patients had a CD4 cell count in the range of 0-200 cells/µl (47.37%), while majority (45.67%; p < 0.05)of HIV mono-infected patients had CD4 count in the range of 200-500 cells/µl. Eighty healthy blood donors screened in this study did not yield any HCV seropositive individual. However a 0.44 % HCV seropositivity has been reported among healthy blood donors in a recent study from our institute.
Conclusions: HCV co-infection among HIV patients is alarmingly high and being associated with an advanced HIV-disease state, is becoming a serious management problem. There is an immediate need for appropriate public health intervention.
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
Abstract no.
CDB196
Suggested Citation
"SinglaA., et al.
Hepatitis C virus co-infection in HIV infected patients: a North Indian cohort study.
:
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention:
Abstract no.
CDB196"
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