Frequency of HIV and HCV Co-Infections in Chronic HBV Patients Referred to Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2006 to 2010

BACKGROUND: Co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can alter the course of the disease. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the frequency of HIV and/or HCV co-infection in chronic HBV patients and related risk factors in acquiring the HCV and or HIV co-infectionit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 264 chronic HBV patients who visited the Gastrointestinal and Liver Ward of the Taleghani Hospital, Tehran, Iran between 2006 and 2010. Demographic information and records of possible risky behavior were obtained. Antibodies against HBV, HCV, and HIV, levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), and conversion from hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) to hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb) were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 264 patients with chronic HBV in this study, 184 patients (70%) were men and 78 patients (30%) were women. Only 1 patient (0.37%) was positive for anti-HIV antibody, whereas 12 patients (4.54%) were positive for anti-HCV antibody. None of the patients had co-infection with all 3 viruses (HBV, HIV, and HCV). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the prevalence of HCV is higher than that of HIV in chronic HBV patients. Since HCV or HIV co-infection affects the therapeutic outcome in chronic HBV patients, testing for HIV and HCV is recommended, especially for patients with a history of risky behavior.