BACKGROUND: Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in individuals infected with HIV is associated with a higher incidence of liver injury, hepatic decompensation, and decreased survival time than that seen in an HIV-monoinfected population. While prevalence studies on HIV/HCV coinfection have been performed in the U.S. and in some European countries, little is known about coinfection rates in Africa. DESIGN: Retrospectively collected specimens from 146 confirmed HIV-positive individuals in Nigeria who had access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) were tested for HCV RNA, using the VERSANT HCV RNA qualitative assay (TMA), and, if HCV RNA-positive, for HCV genotype using the VERSANT HCV genotype assay (LiPA). RESULTS: Twelve out of the 146 individuals tested (8.2%) were HCV positive. Nine of the 12 HCV-positive individuals were infected with HCV genotype 1 (five 1a, three 1b, one non-subtypable) and three were infected with HCV genotype 2 (all non-subtypable). Coinfected individuals were more likely to be male, older, and have lower CD4+ cell counts than HIV-monoinfected individuals, although none of the differences reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the potential public health impact of HCV infection in Nigeria, where anti-HCV testing is generally not performed in HIV-infected populations or in most blood transfusion centers.
BACKGROUND: Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in individuals infected with HIV is associated with a higher incidence of liver injury, hepatic decompensation, and decreased survival time than that seen in an HIV-monoinfected population. While prevalence studies on HIV/HCV coinfection have been performed in the U.S. and in some European countries, little is known about coinfection rates in Africa. DESIGN: Retrospectively collected specimens from 146 confirmed HIV-positive individuals in Nigeria who had access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) were tested for HCV RNA, using the VERSANT HCV RNA qualitative assay (TMA), and, if HCV RNA-positive, for HCV genotype using the VERSANT HCV genotype assay (LiPA). RESULTS: Twelve out of the 146 individuals tested (8.2%) were HCV positive. Nine of the 12 HCV-positive individuals were infected with HCV genotype 1 (five 1a, three 1b, one non-subtypable) and three were infected with HCV genotype 2 (all non-subtypable). Coinfected individuals were more likely to be male, older, and have lower CD4+ cell counts than HIV-monoinfected individuals, although none of the differences reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the potential public health impact of HCV infection in Nigeria, where anti-HCV testing is generally not performed in HIV-infected populations or in most blood transfusion centers.
Authors: Jude Chijioke Eze; Ngozi S Ibeziako; Anthony N Ikefuna; Ikenna C Nwokoye; Nwachinaemere D Uleanya; Gideon C Ilechukwu Journal: Afr J Infect Dis Date: 2014
Authors: Charles S Chasela; Patrick Wall; Jan Drobeniuc; Caroline C King; Eyasu Teshale; Mina C Hosseinipour; Sascha R Ellington; Mary Codd; Denise J Jamieson; Rodney J Knight; Patricia Fitzpatrick; Athena P Kourtis; Irving F Hoffman; Dumbani Kayira; Noel Mumba; Deborah D Kamwendo; Francis Martinson; William Powderly; Charles van der Horst; Saleem Kamili Journal: J Clin Virol Date: 2012-06-02 Impact factor: 3.168
Authors: Joseph C Forbi; Michael A Purdy; David S Campo; Gilberto Vaughan; Zoya E Dimitrova; Lilia M Ganova-Raeva; Guo-Liang Xia; Yury E Khudyakov Journal: J Gen Virol Date: 2012-03-28 Impact factor: 3.891