Abstract:
Since hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
have the same modes of transmission, it is usual for them to infect the same
host. This study was conducted at Bashair University Hospital during the
period from April to July 2013, to detect HBV among HIV-infected
individuals using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
A total of 87 subjects (n=87) were included in this observational,
descriptive, case-study. The subjects were confirmed as HIV-positive by an
ELISA assay, from ages ranged from 16-60 years, and from both sexes.
From the study participants, serum samples were collected, and tested for
HBsAg by a capture ELISA assay, and for HBV DNA by PCR.
Out of the 87 people who took part in the study, 13 (14.9%) were positive
for HBV DNA, while 14 (16.1%) were positive for HBsAg. Six people
(6.9%) tested positive for both HBV DNA and HBsAg, and 7 people (8.0%)
were found to have occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) (i.e. positive for HBV
DNA, negative for HBsAg).
From the above findings we concluded that, there is a high percentage of
HBV/HIV coinfection in the Sudan. Also, there is a high percentage of OBI
in HIV patients. Hence, we recommend the screening of HIV-positive
subjects for HBV markers, and the use of HBV DNA as a marker of OBI in
the same population.
