Seroprevalence of HBsAg and Anti-HCV among HIV Positive Patients

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients and to evaluate the results according to risk factors in our hospital in Istanbul, which was one of the centers where HIV-infected patients were followed up the most in our country. Materials and Methods: The medical files of 611 HIV-infected patients who were followed up in our infectious diseases and clinical microbiology outpatient clinic between 1999 and 2016, were analyzed to determine the seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV retrospectively. HIV-monoinfected patients, HIV+HBV-coinfected patients, and HIV+HCV-coinfected patients were examined separately in terms of demographic characteristics and risk factors, and compared with each other. Results: Of the patients 86.6% were male. The mean age of the patients was 37.0 +/- 11.2 (16-83). More than one-third of patients were 30-39 years old. Of the patients 43.7% were men who had sex with men (MSM). Of the patients, 5.8% were HBsAg-positive and 14.7% (236) of patients were positive for isolated anti-HBc IgG. The HBV-DNA positivity ratio was determined as 8.7% in the isolated anti-HBc IgG positive group. Of the patients 2% were anti-HCV positive, and 0.9% were HCV-RNA positive. The prevalence of HIV/HCV coinfection was statistically significantly higher in intravenous (IV) drug users than HIV-monoinfected patients (p<0.001). Conclusion: It is not sufficient to evaluate HBsAg alone in HIV-infected individuals. Anti-HBc IgG and HBV-DNA should also be evaluated. Anti-HCV antibody must be tested especially in patients with IV drug addiction.