Prevalence of hepatitis b and hepatitis c co-infection in seropositive hiv individuals from tertiary care hospital

Aim: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis c co-infection in patients who are seropositive for HIV infection from tertiary care hospital. Materials and methods: All the HIV positive serum samples were collected from Department of Microbiology during the period of one year from October 2011 to October 2012 in our tertiary care teaching hospital. These samples were confirmed as HIV positive by 3 tests which include enzyme immuo assay, tridot and comb AIDS by the ICTC. These samples were stored in a freezer at a temp of -16oC to -20oC and they were checked for the presence of antiHCV antibodies and HBsAg by third generation ELISA where recombinant antigens and antibodies are used. Results: In the study group, out of the hundred HIV positive sera tested, 5 were HBsAg positive and one was antiHCV positive. No serum sample contained both HBsAg and anti HCV. In the control group, HBsAg positive percentage was 1.8%. Conclusion: Five serum samples were found to be positive for HBsAg and one sample was found to be positive for anti-HCV. The positive percentage of HBsAg in the control group was 1.8% lesser when compared to test group.