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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
The present hospital based study was carried out in order to assess the prevalence of HBV infection in HIV seropositive individuals attending ICTC of Santhiram Medical College and General Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in A.P, India. 8665 serum samples collected over a period of 6 months from individuals attending the ICTC were screened for anti HIV antibodies as per NACO protocol. Samples found to be reactive for HIV antibodies were tested for HBsAg by rapid card test as per manufacturers guidelines in serology section of Dept of Microbiology. Our study shows, out of 8665 HIV suspected cases 2.4% (211/8665) were reactive for HIV and prevalence of Hepatitis B co-infection was 8.5% (18/211). In our study the commonest risk factor for transmission of HBsAg was unprotected sex which was 61.1% (11/18). Maximum of co-infected patients were of age group 35 – 49 years, followed by 25 – 34 years. The rate of progression and complications from viral hepatitis are accelerated in patients with co-infections. After acquiring Hepatitis b infection HIV infected individuals are more likely to develop chronic Hepatitis B infections leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. This represents another potential co-morbidity for patients with HIV infections. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the longevity of HIV positive patients irrespective of CD4 counts.