Risk factors and seroprevalence of hepatitis C antibody in mothers and their pre-school age children in Ilrorin

No Abstract. African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Vol. 7(3) 2006: 155-15

Hepatitis B and C viruses co-infection with Human Immodeficiency Virus (HIV) in infected patients at UITH, Ilorin

One hundred and two (102) HIV infected patients at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, were screened for markers of HBV and HCV in order to determine the prevalences of co-infection, and were compared to those in blood donors. The diagnosis of HIV infection was made on the basis of reactivity with two different ELIZA reagents and low CD4 Cell Count. The marker for HBV was Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), and screening was done with the Latex Test by BIOTEC Laboratories, Soffolk, U.K. The marker for HCV was anti-HCV antiboby and screening was done with a third generation ELIZA by DIA.PRO Diagnostic, Milano, Italy. HBV was found in 16% and 30.4% of blood donors and HIV infected patients, respectively. HCV was found in 0.6% of blood donors, but not in any of the 96 HIV infected patients. The frequency of HBV among HIV patients was significantly higher than it is in blood donors, while there was no difference in the frequency of HCV between blood donors and HIV infected patients. CD4 count was lower in AIDS patients with co-infection with HBV than in those without. Infection by the HIV promotes co-infection with HBV, while the presence of HBV in an HIV-infected person is associated with lower CD4 count. It is suggested that HIV infected patients who are HBsAg. positive should receive prophylactic treatment and be monitored closely for development of chronic hepatitis.Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 54 (1) 2008: pp. 8-1

Effect Of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy On CD4 Count And Weight In AIDS Patients Seen At The UITH, Ilorin

To determine the response on treatment-naïve HIV/AIDS patients to the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in terms of CD4 Count and Weight gain over a period of 2½ years. Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were recruited under the Federal Government HighlyActiveAntiretroviral Therapy (HAART) programme at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. The treatment regimen included Lamivudine, Starvudine and Nevirapine. The patients\' responses were evaluatedwith respect toCD4 count andweight over the period of treatment.The diagnosis ofHIV/AIDS wasmade on the basis of reactivitywith two different ELISAreagents, andCD4 countwas donewithDynalT4 Quantmethod. Theweights (kg.) of the patientswere taken atmonthly visit. The duration of treatment for the patients analysed ranged from 1 month to 14 months. Analysis of CD4 count was possible in 105 patients. The mean post treatment CD4 count and weight were significantly higher than the pre-treatment values (p < 0.001 and p < 1.01) respectively. There were significant positive correlations (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001) between increases in CD4 count and weight respectively, and duration of treatment. In eight (8) patients,CD4Count reduced or remained the same in spite of treatment. TheHAARTregime is associatedwith increase inCD4Count andweight gain.While increases in CD4 Count and weight correlated with duration of therapy, there was no correlation between CD4 Count increase andweight gain. Keywords: HIV/AIDS Antiretroviral Therapy CD4 Weight. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (4) 2008: pp. 312-31