Prevalence of Serologic Markers of HBV and HCV Infection in HIV-1 Seropositive Patients in Florianópolis, Brazil.

B and C hepatitis are infections transmitted in ways similar to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infection in HIV-1-infected patients who lived in the metropolitan areas of Florianópolis, in the State of Santa Catarina. Ninety-three patients seropositive to HIV-1 were identified by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence. Patients were assigned to according to HIV-1 transmission risk: homosexuals (n=20), heterosexuals (n=39), and intravenous drug users (IVDU) (N=34). HbsAg, Anti-HBc, Anti-HBc IgM and Anti-HCV measurements were done using ELISA. HBV and HCV prevalence in HIV-1 infected patients was 71% and 53.8%, respectively. In the IVDU group, the prevalence of HBV (85.3%), of HCV (88.2%), and infections by both viruses (76.5%) was greater than that observed in the heterosexual and homosexual groups. Hepatitis B markers (HbsAg and Anti-HBc) for chronic persistent disease were recorded in 24.3% of patients, and for past infection in 71.2% of patients. The evidence of high prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in HIV-1 seropositive patients, mainly among intravenous drug users, should be included in educational programs in an effort to decrease the incidence of multiple infections.