Hepatitis B Virus Total Core Antibodies among HIV-1 Infected Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Negative Patients Attending a Tertiary Health Facility in North-central Nigeria
A. J. Anejo-Okopi
Department of Microbiology, University of Jos, Nigeria.
T. M. Akindigh *
Infectious Diseases Unit, (APIN) Laboratory, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
N. Markus
Department of Microbiology, University of Jos, Nigeria.
D. S. Adeniyi
AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, Jos, Nigeria.
O. J. Abba
Infectious Diseases Unit, (APIN) Laboratory, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria.
A. O. Ebonyi
Infectious Diseases Unit, (APIN) Laboratory, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria and Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
E. Ejeliogu
Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
O. Audu
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Nigeria.
P. Lar
Department of Microbiology, University of Jos, Nigeria.
H. J. Zumbes
Department of Microbiology, University of Jos, Nigeria.
E. S. Isa
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
S. Oguche
Infectious Diseases Unit, (APIN) Laboratory, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria and Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of total Hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) among HIV-1 infected adults without Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg).
Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) adult HIV clinic at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos, North-Central Nigeria, between August and December, 2014.
Methodology: We determined the presence of total anti-HBc for 120 HIV-1 infected patients (32 males and 88 females, with a mean age of 40.4±10.6 years). We performed serological screening for total anti-HBc and for other serological markers for each patient, then performed CD4+ cell enumeration, biochemical analysis of serum for Alanine aminotransferase levels and HIV viral load assays.
Results: A total of 105, HIV-1 positive patients who were HBsAg negative were studied. Of these patients, 59 (56.2%) showed no HBV serological markers, 23 (21.9%) had total anti-HBc, and 15 (14.3%) had HB surface antibodies. Only one patient (1%) showed HBeAg while anti-HBe was detected in 20 (19.0%). The mean age of patients with anti-HBc was 41.4 ± 10.8 years which was similar to the mean age of patients who were negative for anti-HBc (P =.81). While no significant associations were observed between ALT levels, CD4 counts, marital or educational status and total anti-HBc of the patients (P =.91, P =.39, P =.78 and P =.44, respectively), there was a significant association between having a history of tooth extraction and total anti-HBc (P =.03).
Conclusion: There may be a need to assess occult HBV infection in HIV-infected individuals with isolated anti-HBc for active replication of HBV by detecting HBV DNA. Dental care practitioners must take great care to prevent possible transmission through surgical equipment used in procedures for tooth extraction.
Keywords: Hepatitis-B, isolated, total core antibodies, dental extraction, HIV, North-central.