Co-infection with Hepatitis B, C and Human immunodeficiency Virus in Nigerian Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Nigeria which has one of the world's highest burdens of children living with Sickle cell anaemia is also endemic for hepatitis B, C and the Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study set out to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among children with Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) at the University Of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).

METHODS

This was a prospective hospital based study of children with sickle cell anaemia aged 0.5 years to 18yearspresenting at the haematology clinic of UPTH. A serological screening was carried out over a period of five months to determine the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV and HIV 1 and 2 infections. Other data obtained included sex, age and other demographic data.

RESULTS

There were 132 SCA patients with 72 (54.5%) males and 60 (45.5%) females. Results of HCV anti-body, HBSAg, and HIV were available for 84 patients. Mean age was 7.45 ±1.6 years, age range was 0.5-18years Seventy-eight (59.1%) had no previous blood transfusion, forty (30.3%) had one previous transfusion while eight (6.1%) had more than one previous transfusions. HBsAg was positive in three patients giving a prevalence of 3.6%; Anti-HCV antibody was not found in any patient while two (2.4%) were positive for HIV 1. There was no patient with Hepatitis, HIV and SCA.

CONCLUSION

This study showed no co-infection with Hepatitis B, C and HIV viral infection among children with SCA at UPTH, Nigeria.