Abstract:

Background: Hepatitis D virus infection may worsen HBV infection and about 5 % of HBV infected individuals may be infected with HDV infection as these viruses have similar routes of transmission. Severity of HBV infection is worsen by HIV co-infection. Therefore, this study aimed at the determination of prevalence and risk factors of HDV infection among HIV/HBV Co-infected individuals.

Methods: This was cross sectional study in which treatment-naïve HIV infected study participants were screened for HBs Ag. Study participants that were positive for HBs Ag were further screened for anti HDV and HBe Ag and also, they were assessed for CD4⁺ T lymphocytes count, ALT and AST levels. SPSS version 20 was used for the statistical analysis and level of significance was considered at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: About 4(10.8 %) of 37 HIV/HBV co-infected study were positive for anti HDV. There was no statistical association of HDV infection with different tested variables, though numerically higher among females (P≤ 0.587), 41-50 years age group (P≤ 0.671), subjects with history of multiple sexual partners (P≤ 0.557), blood transfusion (p ≤ 0.298) and needle sharing (P ≤ 0.456). Mean ALT and AST levels, mean CD4⁺ T cell counts and HBe Ag prevalence were comparable between anti HDV positive and negative study participants with HIV/HBV co-infection.

Conclusion: Substantial number of HIV/HBV co-infected study participants were observed to be infected with HDV infection. We recommend the screening of HDV infection among HIV/HBV co-infected individuals to ensure their proper management.

Keywords: HIV infection, HBV co-infection, HDV infection.

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