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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
Published on: June 26, 2014
Seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection in HIV patients using a rapid one-step test strip kit
A A Akinbami1, O O Oshinaike, T A Adeyemo
1Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos. ajoke_clinic@yahoo.co.uk
Insights
The study found a 3.3% seroprevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection. Routine HCV screening in HIV patients is recommended to reduce liver disease complications.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) share similar transmission routes, leading to frequent co-infections.
- HIV and associated immunosuppression can accelerate liver disease progression in HCV patients, increasing risks of cirrhosis and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the seroprevalence rate of HIV/HCV co-infection.
- To assess the clinical implications of co-infection in an HIV-infected population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital's HIV clinic from January to March 2010.
- Blood samples were analyzed for HCV using a rapid test kit; statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and the chi-squared test (P < 0.05 considered significant).
Main Results:
- The overall seroprevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection was 3.3%.
- HCV seroprevalence was 3.1% in females and 4.1% in males (P=0.001).
- None of the 9 co-infected participants had CD4 counts ≥350 cells/µL, with most having counts below 200 cells/µL.
Conclusions:
- Routine Hepatitis C virus screening should be integrated into the pre-HAART evaluation for all HIV-infected patients.
- Early detection and management of HCV in HIV-positive individuals can mitigate liver-related morbidity and mortality.
Background:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV are transmitted via similar routes making co-infection with these viruses a common event. In addition, HIV infection and related immunosupression in patients with hepatitis C may be associated with more rapid progression of liver disease to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and death.
Objective:
The study is to determine the seroprevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection rate.
Methods:
A cross -sectional study was carried out from January to March 2010 at the HIV clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. About 5 mls of blood sample was collected from each consenting participant. Sera were subjected to HCV rapid kit as recommended by the manufacturer (Dia Spot HCV one step test strip). The descriptive data was given as means +/- standard deviation (SD). The chi-squared test was used for analytical assessment. The differences were considered statistically significant when P value obtained was < 0.05.
Results:
The overall seroprevalence rate of HIV/HCV coinfection was 3.3%. Only 6 of 194 female HIV subjects screened tested positive for HCV (3.1%), while 3 of 73 male subjects tested positive for HCV (4.1%) (P value 0.001). None of the 9 co-infected HIV/HCV participants (both male and female) had CD4 count of 350 and above, 3 had a count of 1-100 cells/il., 4 had 100-200, while 2 had 201-350.
Conclusion:
There is the need to include hepatitis C screening routinely in all HIV-infected patients undergoing pre-HAART evaluation in HIV clinics in order to lower liver-related morbidity and mortality associated with them.
