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 2012-06, Vol.23 (6), p.435-438
Main Authors: Zoufaly, A, Onyoh, E F, Tih, P M, Awasom, C N, Feldt, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
AIDS/HIV
Alanine Transaminase - blood
Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use
Antibodies, Bacterial - blood
Bacterial diseases
Bacterial diseases of the genital system
Biological and medical sciences
Cameroon - epidemiology
CD4 Lymphocyte Count
Chi-Square Distribution
Coinfection - epidemiology
Coinfection - microbiology
Coinfection - virology
Female
General aspects
Hepatitis B - epidemiology
Hepatitis B - microbiology
Hepatitis B - virology
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood
Hepatitis B virus
HIV Infections - drug therapy
HIV Infections - epidemiology
HIV Infections - microbiology
HIV Infections - virology
Human bacterial diseases
Human viral diseases
Humans
Infectious diseases
Male
Medical sciences
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Statistics, Nonparametric
Syphilis - complications
Syphilis - epidemiology
Syphilis - virology
Treponema pallidum
Viral diseases
Viral hepatitis
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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:0956-4624
1758-1052
DOI:10.1258/ijsa.2011.011279