High prevalence of hepatitis B and syphilis co-infections among HIV patients initiating antiretroviral therapy in the north-west region of Cameroon

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis co-infections contribute significantly to HIV-associated morbidity and mortality, but the burden of these diseases is not fully appreciated in sub-Saharan Africa, as prevalence data are scarce. Both infections often remain undiagnosed in resource-limited settings...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	International journal of STD & AIDS Vol. 23; no. 6; p. 435
Main Authors:	Zoufaly, A, Onyoh, E F, Tih, P M, Awasom, C N, Feldt, T
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England 01-06-2012
Subjects:	Adult Alanine Transaminase - blood Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use Antibodies, Bacterial - blood Cameroon - epidemiology CD4 Lymphocyte Count Chi-Square Distribution Coinfection - epidemiology Coinfection - microbiology Coinfection - virology Female Hepatitis B - epidemiology Hepatitis B - microbiology Hepatitis B - virology Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood HIV Infections - drug therapy HIV Infections - epidemiology HIV Infections - microbiology HIV Infections - virology Humans Male Retrospective Studies Risk Factors Statistics, Nonparametric Syphilis - complications Syphilis - epidemiology Syphilis - virology Cameroon
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Summary:	Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and syphilis co-infections contribute significantly to HIV-associated morbidity and mortality, but the burden of these diseases is not fully appreciated in sub-Saharan Africa, as prevalence data are scarce. Both infections often remain undiagnosed in resource-limited settings because routine testing is not a part of most of the national guidelines. Epidemiological studies provide important information on prevalence and risk factors for such co-infections and can provide guidance for clinical management and for the development of test strategies. We analysed data on baseline characteristics, CD4 cell counts, HBV and syphilis co-infection rates of 690 patients enrolling for antiretroviral therapy in rural Cameroon. The prevalence of both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg, 12.6%, 95% CI 10.1-15.1) and treponemal antibodies (11.4%, 95% CI 8.9-13.7) was high, with significantly higher prevalences for both infections in men; detection of treponemal antibodies increased with age. Although liver enzyme elevations were common, they were not useful to identify HBsAg-positive patients. In this setting, routine serological screening for HBV and syphilis co-infection should be considered to avoid complications and ongoing transmission.
ISSN:	1758-1052
DOI:	10.1258/ijsa.2011.011279