Association between Human Immunodeficiency Viral Load and Infectiousness of Hepatitis B Virus in HIV/HBV Co-infected Patients in Khartoum State Hospitals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background The availability of antiretroviral therapy, with activity against both HBV and HIV has led to significant improvements in outcomes. However even with effective suppression of both HBV and HIV replication, morbidity and mortality are significantly higher in those with HBV-HIV co-infection than with HIV alone. The rate of progression and complications from viral hepatitis are accelerated in patients with HIV co-infection. Aim The aim of this study is to associate between HIV viral load and the infectiousness of HBV in HBV-HIV co-infected patients. Methods This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the voluntary counseling and treatment centers in Khartoum state during the period from March 2021 to August 2021. A total of 90 blood samples were collected from known HIV patients. HIV viral load has been counted by using Gene Expert technique. HBsAg, HBeAg and HBeAb have been screened by ELISA (RecombiLISATM - CTK, USA). Results Results of this study showed that the highest number of HIV infected patients were males (53.3%), ranging from 8 years old to 63 years old, with age group from (20-40) years old represented the highest infected group (58%), the prevalence of HBV / HIV co-infection was (4.4%). Conclusion The study concluded that there was significant association between high HIV viral load and the infectiousness of HBV (HBeAg/ marker of infectivity)