Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals
Open Access
ISSN: 1948-5964
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 1948-5964
+44 1300 500008
Pennap G R I, Yahuza A J and Abdulkarim M L
Nasarawa State University Keffi, Nigeria
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Antivir Antiretrovir
Nigeria has the largest burden of children living with HIV in the World but because of antiretroviral therapy, they are living longer. However, hepatitis B and C viruses are emerging important co-morbidities to consider especially for management decisions. This study set out to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among these children and to identify possible risk factors associated with the infections. Two hundred HIV-infected children at an antiretroviral treatment center were screened for Hepatitis B and C seromarkers using rapid test kits (ABCON Laboratories Hangzhou China). Informed written consent was obtained from their parents/guardians. Information on their sociodemographics and exposure to some possible risk factors were obtained. A general prevalence of infection with hepatitis B and C virus in the study population was 14.0%. The prevalence of HBV was 3.0% while HCV was 11.0% and no child was coinfected with all 3 viruses. There was no statistically significant association between coinfection with either of the hepatitis viruses and the studied parameters (p>0.05). This does not down play the importance of the coinfection. The HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV coinfection prevalence of 3.0% and 11.0% respectively is a cause for alarm. It is therefore pertinent that HIV infected children are screened for these viruses before commencement of antiretroviral therapy.
Pennap G R I is a Microbiology Lecturer with Nasarawa State University Keffi. Her field of interest is Viral Epidemiology where she has 39 peer reviewed publications in reputed Scientific Journals and has contributed a chapter each in two text books.
Email: rinmecit.grace@yahoo.com