291例HIV感染者合并HCV及HSV-2感染状况及相应免疫特征分析

目的了解HIV感染者中HCV及HSV-2合并感染的情况及CD4＋T细胞免疫特征。方法用ELISA方法检测291例HIV感染者的抗HCV及HSV-2抗体,对HIV感染者进行CD4＋T淋巴细胞绝对计数和其占T淋巴细胞的百分比分析。结果 HIV合并HCV感染43例,合并HSV-2感染99例,合并HCV和HSV-2感染31例。CD4＋T淋巴细胞百分比以合并感染HCV组最高（78.4%）,合并感染HSV-2组和无合并感染次之,合并感染HCV和HSV-2组最低,组间差异无统计学意义。CD4＋T淋巴细胞绝对数以合并感染HCV和HSV-2组最低,合并感染HCV组、合并感染HSV-2组居中,无合并感染组最高,组间差异无统计学意义。结论 HIV感染者合并HCV、HSV-2感染率较高,HIV合并HCV和HSV-2感染时,CD4＋T细胞绝对数和CD4＋T淋巴细胞百分比下降,加重损害机体的免疫系统。     

辽河油田兴隆台区十五个二级单位体检职工HBV-M状况分析

目的评估2009年1月～2009年12月间在辽河油田二院体检的辽河油田职工乙肝病毒感染率情况,为制定乙肝防治规划提供科学依据。方法对辽河油田参加体检职工抽样调查15个二级单位3000名职工的HBV-M及肝功能情况,按2005年《慢性乙型肝炎防治指南》的要求进行评估。结果抽样调查的3000人中：HBV-M组合模式共有11种,显示人群中HBV感染呈多样性。全阴模式所占比例最大,占1467人（48.9%）;其次是恢复期模式组的单项抗-HBs阳性模式所占比例1026人（34.2%）;在感染期模式组中,以＂HBsAg、抗HBc和抗HBe阳性所占比例最大＂居该组之首位,占114人（3.8%）。具有强传染性的＂HBsAg、抗HBc和HBeAg阳性（4人）＂、＂HBsAg和HBeAg阳性（4人）＂模式共占2.6‰;HBsAg和抗HBc阳性6人（2‰）占感染期模式组比例较大,其余恢复期单一抗HBc阳性66人（2.2%）,抗HBs和抗HBc阳性225人（7.5%）,抗HBs、抗HBc和抗HBe阳性49人（1.6%）,抗HBc和抗HBe阳性18人（6‰）,抗HBs和抗HBe阳性15人（5‰）所占比例较少。3000人中乙肝表面抗原携带率4.26%。不同二级单位存在一定差异：128名乙肝病毒感染者中122人肝功异常,38人需住院治疗。油建一公司感染率最高为5.6‰,渤海物业和消防队感染率较低为1.33‰。不同性别存在一定差异：男性HBV感染者占总人数的3.06%,男性HBV感染者占男性总人数的5.07%,女性HBV感染者占总人数的1.2%,女性HBV感染者占女性总人数的3.03%。曾感染HBV者1399人,占总人数的46.6%,均低于全国HBV感染流行水平。结论辽河油田HBV感染率低,乙型肝炎预防的措施有效,应继续加大对乙肝疫苗规范接种及接种后随访管理工作,降低乙肝病毒感染水平。     

HBsAg阳性产妇所生新生儿的HBV血清标志物及HBVDNA的检测结果分析

目的 观察HBsAg阳性产妇所生新生儿血清乙型肝炎标志物及HBV DNA的表达.方法 对282例HBsAg阳性产妇所生283例（一例双胞胎）新生儿进行乙型肝炎病毒血清免疫标志物（五项）和血清HBV DNA检测.结果 283例新生儿乙型肝炎血清标志物表现为12种模式,以HBeAg、抗HBc阳性组合最多占48.41％（137/283）,其次为抗HBe、抗HBc阳性组合占22.26％（62/283）,HBsAg、HBeAg、抗HBc阳性组合占12.37％（35/283）,含HBsAg阳性的有5种组合占16.61％（47/283）,未见五项全阴和单抗- HBs阳性者.血清HBV DNA≥1×103IU/mL者5例占1.77％.结论 HBsAg阳性产妇所生新生儿血清乙型肝炎标志物表现复杂,以HBeAg、抗HBc阳性组合为主.血清HBV DNA≥1×103IU/mL不多见.     

HIV/HCV合并感染者淋巴细胞活化及第二受体表达的研究

目的了解中国不同疾病进展阶段人类免疫缺陷病毒和丙型肝炎病毒（HIV／HCV）合并感染者T淋巴细胞与自然杀伤细胞（natural killer cells，NK）数量变化及T淋巴细胞活化、受体表达情况，并探讨HCV感染对HIV感染免疫指标及疾病进展的影响。方法应用流式细胞术分析228例不同疾病进展阶段的HIV／HCV合并感染者及101例单纯HIV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞、NK细胞数量及T淋巴细胞活化受体（HLA-DR、CD38）、第二受体（CCR5、CXCR4）表达情况。结果（1）HIV／HCV合并感染组中，CD4^＋T淋巴细胞、NK细胞数量随疾病进展持续下降，其中艾滋病组（AIDS）明显低于无症状HIV感染组（HIV）（P〈0．05），HIV组明显低于长期不进展组（LTNP）（P〈0．01），LTNP组与健康对照组差异无统计学意义。LTNP组、HIV组及AIDS组CD4^＋、CD8^＋T细胞表面活化受体HLA-DR、CD38的表达依次升高，其中各组间CD8／CD38的升高差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05），AIDS组CD4／HLA-DR、CD8／HLA-DR的升高明显高于LTNP组和HIV组（P〈0．01）。LTNP组、HIV组及AIDS组CD4^＋、CD3^＋T细胞表面CCR5的表达亦依次升高，各组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；CD3^＋T细胞表面CXCR4的表达依次升高，AIDS组明显高于HIV组和LTNP组（P〈0．01）。（2）HIV／HCV合并感染组与单纯HIV感染组相比，AIDS组NK细胞明显下降（P〈0．05），CD4^＋T细胞下降，但无统计学意义，CD4／HLA-DR、CD8／HLA-DR、CD4／CXCR4、CD3／CXCR4明显升高（P〈0．01）；HIV组NK细胞明显下降（P〈0．01），CD4／CXCR4明显升高（P〈0．05）；LTNP组各项指标与单纯HIV感染组相比差异无统计学意义。（3）HIV／HCV合并感染组的HIV病毒载量随疾病进展不断升高，与单纯HIV感染组相比差异无统计学意义；HCV病毒载量在疾病不同阶段差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论随疾病进展，HIV／HCV合并感染者的免疫功能逐渐下降，HIV病毒载量逐渐升高。与单纯HIV感染相比，合并HCV感染可通过破坏机体天然免疫功能、促进免疫系统活化和受体表达，加速HIV感染的疾病进展。     

辽河油田兴隆台区十五个二级单位体检职工HBV-M状况分析

目的 评估2009年1月～2009年12月间在辽河油田二院体检的辽河油田职工乙肝病毒感染率情况,为制定乙肝防治规划提供科学依据.方法 对辽河油田参加体检职工抽样调查15个二级单位3000名职工的HBV-M及肝功能情况,按2005年<慢性乙型肝炎防治指南>的要求进行评估.结果 抽样调查的3000人中:HBV-M组合模式共有11种,显示人群中HBV感染呈多样性.全阴模式所占比例最大,占1467人(48.9%);其次是恢复期模式组的单项抗-HBs阳性模式所占比例1026人(34.2%);在感染期模式组中,以"HBsAg、抗HBc和抗HBe阳性所占比例最大"居该组之首位,占114人(3.8%).具有强传染性的"HBsAg、抗HBc和HBeAg阳性(4人)"、"HBsAg和HBeAg阳性(4人)"模式共占2.6‰;HBsAg和抗HBc阳性6人(2‰)占感染期模式组比例较大,其余恢复期单一抗HBc阳性66人(2.2%),抗HBs和抗HBc阳性225人(7.5%),抗HBs、抗HBc和抗HBe阳性49人(1.6%),抗HBc和抗HBe阳性18人(6‰),抗HBs和抗HBe阳性15人(5‰)所占比例较少.3000人中乙肝表面抗原携带率4.26%.不同二级单位存在一定差异:128名乙肝病毒感染者中122人肝功异常,38人需住院治疗.油建一公司感染率最高为5.6‰,渤海物业和消防队感染率较低为1.33‰.不同性别存在一定差异:男性HBV感染者占总人数的3.06%,男性H3V感染者占男性总人数的5.07%,女性HBV感染者占总人数的1.2%,女性HBV感染者占女性总人数的3.03%.曾感染HBV者1399人,占总人数的46.6%,均低于全国HBV感染流行水平.结论 辽河油田HBV感染率低,乙型肝炎预防的措施有效,应继续加大对乙肝疫苗规范接种及接种后随访管理工作,降低乙肝病毒感染水平.     

HBsAg阴性义务献血员HBV标志物分析

<正>为预防团输血或血制品引起输血后乙型肝炎（PT-HB）,本文对200例乙型肝炎表面抗原（HBsAg）阴性的义务献血员进行了HBV标志物（抗HBs、抗HBe、HBsAg、抗 HBc和抗HBc-lgM）检测,对标志物阳性者用聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测HBV-DNA,以便掌握HBSAg阴性献血员中HBV感染情况,现报道如下。     

原发性肝癌患者214例乙肝两对半及抗-HCV检测结果探析

目的探讨乙肝病毒(HBV)及丙肝病毒(HCV)感染模式与原发性肝癌(PHC)间的关系。方法选取我院于2012年1月至2015年1月间收治的PHC患者214例,抽取其早晨空腹静脉血5m L,分离获得血清,采用罗氏公司Elecsys2010型全自动化学发光免疫分析仪检测患者的乙肝两对半指标,采用酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测患者血清丙型肝炎病毒抗体(抗-HCV)水平。结果 214例PHC患者中,HBV的感染率高达87.85%,显著高于未感染者,其中HBs Ag阳性感染率为68.22%,显著高于HBs Ag阴性感染率19.63%,并且又以"小三阳"模式所占比例最高,达48.13%,显著高于"大三阳"模式的12.15%及其余10种感染模式所占比例,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。同时HCV的感染率为16.82%,HBV与HCV双重感染率为10.75%;其中感染HCV并HBs Ag阳性感染者所占比例为0.93%,显著低于感染HCV并HBs Ag阴性感染者比例9.82%及仅感染HCV者的比例6.07%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。HBs Ag阳性感染者感染HCV的几率为1.37%,显著低于HBs Ag阴性感染者感染HCV的几率47.62%及未感染HBV者感染HCV的几率53.85%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论HBV感染极有可能是致使PHC发生的主要因素,而HBs Ag阳性感染在其中居主导地位,且又以"小三阳"感染模式的PHC患者占多数。同时HCV感染也不容忽视,特别是HBV与HCV的双重感染更应该引起大家的重视。     

丽水地区无偿献血者中隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染调查与分析

目的 隐匿性乙型肝炎感染一直是困扰献血中健康血清筛查的一个重要因素,通过高度灵敏的Nest-PCR检测方法对献血者中的OBI进行调查,了解该地区隐匿性HBV感染情况和基因分析.方法 共收集10080例献血者血浆,进行进口雅培HBsAg试剂和北京万泰抗-HBc及抗-HBs试剂平行检测,采用高灵敏度的Nest-PCR进行核酸检测和基因调取.结果 10080例无偿献血者中,共检出雅培（超敏）HBsAg阳性108例（阳性率1.07％）,抗-HBC单独阳性767例（阳性率7.67％）.10080例献血者中筛查出25例血浆HBsAg检测阴性HBV DNA检测阳性的隐匿性HBV携带者.隐匿性HBV感染者的发生率为0.25％.HBV基因C型12例（48％）,基因B型13例（52％）,未发现其他基因型.基因B型和基因C型之间没有明显的统计区别（P＞0.05）,序列分析显示其中5例在HBsAg“a”表位（aa124～aa147）存在突变（20％）.结论 我国无偿献血中存在较高比例的隐匿性乙型肝炎感染,且不同地区的基因型与突变情况存在差异.     

趋化因子及受体与中国HCV/HIV合并感染相关性的研究

目的：探讨趋化因子自细胞介素8（IL-8）、干扰素诱导蛋白10（IFN-inducible 10-kdaprotein，IP-10）及趋化因子受体CCR5、CXCR3，在丙肝病毒（HCV）单纯感染，艾滋病病毒（HIV）单纯感染和HCV／HIV合并感染过程中的表达及意义。方法：采用流式细胞术，检测HCV感染组（n=21）、HIV感染组（n=14）、HCV／HIV感染组（n=28）及正常对照组（n=30）人外周血CD4^＋T淋巴细胞和CD8^＋T淋巴细胞表面CCR5、CXCR3的表达。ELISA方法检测血清趋化因子IL-8、IP-10含量。结果：HCV感染组、HIV感染组和HCV／HIV合并感染组，血清IP-10水平都明显升高，而在合并感染组水平最高；血清IL-8水平在3组亦明显升高。HIV感染组及HCV／HIV合并感染组CD4^＋T细胞表面CXCR3表达显著降低（P〈0．001），CD8^＋T细胞表面CXCR3表达显著升高（P〈0．001）；HCV感染组CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞表面CXCR3表达轻度升高，但差异不显著。HCV感染组及HCV／HIV合并感染组CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞表面CCR5表达显著降低（P〈0.001）；HIV感染组CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞表面CCR5表达显著升高（P〈0.001）。结论：中国HCV／HIV合并感染患者中，血清IL-8和IP-10水平都明显升高；受体CXCR3在CD4^＋T细胞表面表达降低，而在CD8^＋T细胞表面表达升高；受体CCR5在CD4^＋及CD8^＋T细胞表面表达降低，提示趋化因子及受体与HCV／HIV合并感染密切相关。     

HIV合并感染加速HCV白发清除者抗-HCV抗体衰减北大核心CSCD

目的了解HIV合并感染对HCV自发清除患者抗-HCV抗体水平变化的影响。方法2009年和2017年分别对河南省上蔡县王营村有既往献血史人群抗-HCV抗体水平进行回顾性研究,根据2009年调查结果将抗-HCV抗体阳性人群分为4组：HCV慢性感染组（HCVc）、HCV自发清除组（HCVr）、HIV阳性的HCV慢性感染组（HIV＋HCVc）、HIV阳性的HCV自发清除组（HIV＋HCVr）。2017年随访中剔去失访人群、HCV治疗人群和HCV自发清除再感染人群,每组随访人数分别为：HCVc组65人、HCVr组34人、HIV＋HCVc组44人、HIV＋HCVr组24人。对上述4组2009年抗-HCV抗体水平进行横向比较,以及对2009—2017年4组抗-HCV抗体水平变化进行纵向比较分析。 结果2009年横向比较显示,无论HIV是否合并感染,慢性感染组抗-HCV抗体水平均显著高于自发清除组。2009—2017年HCVc和HIV＋HCVc组的抗-HCV抗体水平无明显变化,但HCVr和HIV＋HCVr组的抗-HCV抗体水平均呈显著衰减趋势（P〈0.0001）;HIV＋HCVr组的抗-HCV抗体衰减程度高于HCVr组（P＝0.0039）;HCVr组（r＝－0.5277,P＝0.0017）与HIV＋HCVr组（r＝－0.7532,P〈0.0001）初始抗-HCV抗体水平与抗-HCV抗体衰减幅度呈负相关;HIV＋HCVr组的抗-HCV抗体变化水平与2009年CD4＋T细胞计数基数水平呈负相关（r＝－0.5638,P＝0.0041）;HIV＋HCVr组与HCVr组的抗-HCV阴转率差异有统计学意义（P＝0.0275）。结论HIV合并感染加速HCV自发清除患者抗-HCV抗体衰减,提示在大规模流行病学调查时,HIV感染人群的抗-HCV抗体阳性比例可能被低估。     

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection in central China

Co-infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has an adverse effect on liver disease progression. This study investigated the prevalence of HBV and/or HCV co-infection in HIV-infected patients in Central China. A total of 978 HIV-infected patients from Hunan Province were enrolled. HBV serum markers, anti-hepatitis-C-virus antibody (anti-HCV), HBV DNA, and HBV genotypes were analyzed. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV in HIV-infected patients was 19.4 % and 62.4 %, respectively. The prevalence of anti-HCV in HIV-positive intravenous drug users was 93.6 %. Among HBsAg-positive patients, 88.1 % were found to have at least one HBV serum marker. The rates of HIV mono-infection, HBV/HIV dual infection, HCV/HIV dual infection, and HBV/HCV/HIV triple infection were 30.4 %, 7.2 %, 50.2 %, and 12.2 %, respectively. Antibody to HBsAg (Anti-HBs) was more common in anti-HCV-positive than anti-HCV-negative patients (53.3 % vs 40.2 %, P = 0.000), but isolated hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) was more common in anti-HCV-negative than anti-HCV-positive patients (24.2 % vs 12.3 %, P = 0.000). Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and sexual transmission were independent risk factors for active HBV replication. Intravenous drug use and male sex were independent risk factors, but old age and presence of HBeAg were independent protective factors for anti-HCV. Co-infection of HBV and/or HCV with HIV infection is common in central China. HCV status is associated with anti-HBs and isolated anti-HBc in co-infected patients.     

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in the setting of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co‐infection: Clinically relevant or a diagnostic problem?

The clinical relevance of occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, defined as detectable HBV DNA serum/liver, in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), is unclear. We determined the prevalence of serum occult HBV infection in HIV/HCV co-infected patients enrolled in APRICOT, a randomized multinational trial that investigated the efficacy and safety of peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin for treatment of HCV. We also examined the effect of prior HBV exposure to liver histology at baseline. Only HBsAg-negative patients were eligible. At screening, serum HBV DNA was assessed by commercial assay (detection limit = 200 copies/mL). Patients were divided into four serological groups: anti-HBs+/anti-HBc+; anti-HBs-/anti-HBc+; anti-HBs+/ anti-HBc-; anti-HBs-/anti-HBc-. Baseline liver biopsy grade and stage were compared among groups. Serum HBV DNA was undetectable in all patients, (n = 866). Results of anti-HBs and anti-HBc was available for 176 patients: 60 (34.1%) anti-HBs+/anti-HBc+; 60 (34.1%) anti-HBs-/anti-HBc+; 11 (6.3%) anti-HBs+/anti-HBc-; 45 (25.6%) anti-HBs-/anti-HBc-. There were no differences among the groups in the histological grade or stage at baseline liver biopsies. Occult HBV infection in serum was not detected in this large immunocompetent cohort. Moreover, prior exposure to HBV did not appear to have any affect on baseline liver histology.     

Development of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in hepatitis B surface antigen negative HIV/HBV co-infected adults: a rare opportunistic illness

Changes in serologic status in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infected individuals with either isolated anti-HBc or resolved HBV infection have been reported, but the frequency of clinically meaningful long-term serologic changes is not well-defined. This study therefore, examined longitudinal serologic status for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative HIV/HBV co-infected participants in a large cohort. Among 5,222 cohort participants, 347 (7%) were initially isolated anti-HBc positive, and 1,073 (21%) had resolved HBV infection (concurrently reactive for anti-HBc and anti-HBs). Thirty-three (10%) of the 347 participants with isolated anti-HBc were later positive for HBsAg at least once, compared with 3 (0.3%) of those with resolved HBV (P < 0.001). A total of 14 participants became persistently positive for HBsAg and were thus classified as having late-onset chronic HBV infection at a median of 3.7 years after initial HBV diagnosis. For those initially with HBsAg-negative HIV/HBV co-infection, the rate of late-onset chronic HBV infection was 1.39/1,000 person-years. Those with late-onset chronic HBV infection experienced significant decreases in CD4 cell counts (P = 0.002) with a mean of 132 cells/μl at the time of late-onset chronic HBV infection, but no factor distinguished those who were positive for HBsAg only once from those that developed late-onset chronic HBV infection. Over a median of 2.9 years following late-onset chronic HBV infection, 3 of 14 subsequently lost HBsAg. The occurrence of late-onset chronic HBV infection in HBsAg negative HIV/HBV co-infected adults appears to be one important, albeit rare, clinical event seen almost exclusively in those with isolated anti-HBc and low CD4 cell count.     

High risk of occult hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-positive patients from South Africa.

This was a retrospective, unmatched case control, laboratory-based study, investigating the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the outcome of routine laboratory detection of HBsAg and prevalence of active HBV infection in 295 samples from 167 HIV-positive and 128 HIV-negative patients. The samples were tested for HBV (HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, HBeAg and anti-HBe) and anti-HIV 1 and 2 (Axsym assays, Abbott Laboratories), as part of routine diagnosis. A nested PCR assay, with detection limit of 800 copies/ml and employing independent sets of primers to core and surface genes, was used to investigate HBV DNA. Quantification of HBV DNA was determined with the Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor assay (Roche Diagnostics). Of the 295 samples, the frequency of anti-HBc was almost similar; 82% for the HIV-negatives and 85% for the HIV-positives, indicating that both groups were equally exposed to HBV infection. The HIV-positives had a higher rate of anti-HBs (76.0% versus 47.7%) and a lower rate of HBsAg carriage (16.2% versus 35.2%), suggesting that HIV-positive individuals are less likely to experience chronic HBV infection. However, analysis of HBV DNA indicated that many of the anti-HBs positives (20.5% versus 8.2%) and HBsAg-negatives (22.1% versus 2.4%) had active HBV infection in the HIV-positive group. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of HBV DNA in the HBsAg-negatives between the two groups (Odds ratio: 11.52; chi-square: p=0.00006). Additionally, 33.3% (5/15) of sera with "anti-HBc alone" serological pattern were HBV viremic in the HIV-positive group, compared to 0% (n=31) in the HIV-negatives. Quantification of HBV DNA from HBsAg-negative/HIV-positive patients demonstrated low level HBV viremia (below 10,000 copies/ml). In conclusion, these findings strongly support that HIV infection is a risk factor for occult HBV infections.     

Management of hepatitis B and C in HIV co-infected patients

Morbidity and mortality from co-morbid hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) infection in HIV co-infected patients are increasing; hence, the management of HIV and HBV or HCV co-infected individuals is now one of the most challenging clinical management issues. Less than 10% of all HIV-infected patients show markers of chronic HBV infection. Hepatitis B in HIV co-infected patients is characterized by high levels of HBV replication and a high risk for cirrhosis. Treatment of HBV with lamivudine (3TC) remains the best treatment option at this time. Initial results of studies of adefovir or tenofovir, however, demonstrate good antiretroviral efficacy, even in patients with 3TC-resistant HBV. In Europe, it is estimated that approximately 30% of HIV-infected individuals are co-infected with HCV. HIV accelerates HCV liver disease especially when HIV-associated immune deficiency progresses. Within 10-15 years of initial HCV infection, 15-25% of patients who are co-infected with HIV develop cirrhosis compared with 2-6% of patients without HIV infection. With the introduction of pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin, promising treatment options have become available for HIV/HCV co-infected patients leading to early virological response rates of approximately 50%. The high number of HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV co-infections, as well as the much more unfavorable course of HBV and HCV in these patients, underlines the need to establish treatment strategies for HBV and HCV in HIV co-infected individuals.     

Prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis B and C virus infections in treatment-na?ve HIV-infected patients

In HIV-infected treatment-na?ve patients, we analyzed risk factors for either chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection, occult HBV infection (OHBV) or a positive hepatitis C (HCV) serostatus. A total of 918 patients of the RESINA-cohort in Germany were included in this study. Before initiating antiretroviral therapy, clinical parameters were collected and blood samples were analyzed for antibodies against HIV, HBV and HCV, HBs antigen and viral nucleic acids for HIV and HBV. Present or past HBV infection (i.e. HBsAg and/or anti-HBc) was found in 43.4% of patients. HBsAg was detected in 4.5% (41/918) and HBV DNA in 6.1% (34/554), resulting in OHBV infection in 2.9% (16/554) of patients. OHBV infection could not be ruled out by the presence of anti-HBs (50.1%) or the absence of all HBV seromarkers (25%). A HCV-positive serostatus was associated with the IVDU transmission route, non-African ethnicity, elevated liver parameters (ASL or GGT) and low HIV viral load. Replicative HBV infection and HCV-positive serostatus both correlated with HIV resistance mutations (P?=?0.001 and P?=?0.028). HBV and HCV infection are frequent co-infections in HIV treatment-naive patients. These co-infections influence viral evolution, clinical parameters and serological markers. Consequently, HIV patients should routinely be tested for HBV and HCV infection before initiating HIV treatment. OHBV infection constituted almost half of all HBV infections with detectable HBV DNA. Due to a lack of risk factors indicating OHBV infection, HBV diagnosis should not only include serological markers but also the detection of HBV DNA.     

Isolated core antibody hepatitis B in sub-Saharan African immigrants

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, where prevalence is > or =8%, and is increasingly seen in African immigrants to developed countries. A retrospective audit of the medical records of 383 immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa attending the infectious diseases clinics at the Royal Melbourne Hospital was performed from 2003 to 2006. The HBV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological results are reported, with a focus on the isolated core antibody HBV pattern (detection of anti-HBc without detection of HBsAg or anti-HBs). Two-thirds (118/174, 68%) of those tested had evidence of HBV infection with detectable anti-HBc. Chronic HBV infection (serum HBsAg detected) was identified in 38/174 (22%) and resolved HBV infection (both serum anti-HBs and anti-HBc detected) in 45/174 (26%). The isolated core antibody pattern was identified in 35/174 (20%), of whom only 1/35 (3%) had detectable serum HBV DNA on PCR testing, indicating occult chronic HBV (OCHB). Only 8/56 (14%) patients with negative anti-HBc had serological evidence of vaccination (serum anti-HBs detected). HIV infection was detected in 26/223 (12%). HCV antibodies were detected in 10/241 (4%), of whom 8 (80%) had detectable HCV RNA. Viral co-infection was detected in only 2/131 (1.5%) patients tested for all three viruses. The isolated core antibody HBV pattern was common among sub-Saharan African patients in our study. These patients require assessment for OCHB infection and monitoring for complications of HBV.     

Presence of occult HBV, but near absence of active HBV and HCV infections in people infected with HIV in rural South Africa

Human immunodeficiency (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses are endemic in Sub‐Saharan Africa, but data regarding the prevalence of hepatitis co‐infections in HIV‐positive individuals residing there are limited. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and occult HBV (presence of HBV‐DNA in the absence of HBsAg) in a rural, South African cohort. The results were compared to various ethnic groups in a Dutch cohort of people infected with HIV. Antiretroviral‐naïve individuals with HIV from both a rural South African clinic (n = 258), and a Dutch University hospital (n = 782), were included. Both serological (HBV and HCV) and molecular (occult HBV) assays were performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to define independent predictors of a hepatitis co‐infection. HBV and HCV prevalence rates in the South African cohort were exceptionally low (0.4%, 1/242 and 0.8%, 2/242, respectively), compared to those observed in Caucasians (HBV 4.4% and HCV 10.9%) and African immigrants (HBV 8.9% and HCV 4.8%). Conversely, occult HBV was observed in a considerable proportion (10%, 6/60) of South African patients who were anti‐HBc‐positive but HBsAg‐negative. Occult infections were less frequent in Caucasians and Africans in the Dutch cohort (3.2% and 1.4%, respectively). Independent predictors for occult HBV were not identified, but a trend towards more occult HBV at lower CD4 counts was observed. Local HBV/HCV prevalence data are needed to optimize vaccination and antiretroviral treatment strategies. Occult HBV in patients with HIV may be missed regularly when molecular analyses are not available. J. Med. Virol. 83:929–934, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Correlates of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections in a prison inmate population: results from a multicentre study in Italy

A cross-sectional study was undertaken on the correlates of infection for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis viruses B and C (HBV and HCV) in a sample of inmates from eight Italian prisons. A total of 973 inmates were enrolled [87.0% males, median age of 36 years, 30.4% intravenous drug users (IDUs), 0.6% men who have sex with men (MSWM)]. In this sample, high seroprevalence rates were found (HIV: 7.5%; HCV: 38.0%; anti-HBc: 52.7%; HBsAg: 6.7%). HIV and HCV seropositivity were associated strongly with intravenous drug use (OR: 5.9 for HIV; 10.5 for HCV); after excluding IDUs and male homosexuals, the HIV prevalence remained nonetheless relatively high (2.6%). HIV prevalence was higher for persons from Northern Italy and Sardinia. The age effect was U-shaped for HIV and HCV infections; HBV prevalence increased with age. Tattoos were associated with HCV positivity (OR: 2.9). The number of imprisonments was associated with HIV infection, whereas the duration of imprisonment was only associated with anti-HBc. The probability of being HIV-seropositive was higher for HCV-seropositive individuals, especially if IDUs. In conclusion, a high prevalence of HIV, HCV, and HBV infections among inmates was observed: these high rates are in part attributable to the high proportion of IDUs. Frequency of imprisonment and tattoos were associated, respectively, with HIV and HCV positivity. Although it is possible that the study population is not representative of Italy's prison inmate population, the results stress the need to improve infection control measures users was prisons.