Variation of CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Counts and Transaminases in HIV and HIV/HBV Co-infected Patients on Therapy at Nylon Hospital Douala, Cameroon
Jules Clement Nguedia Assob *
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
John Ngunde Palle
Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Dickson Shey Nsagha
Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
Sandrine Donfack Mewoabi
University Institute of Estuary (IUEs/INSAM) Douala, Littoral Region of Cameroon, Cameroon.
Edward Chongsi Mbukam
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of Hepatitis B and associated risk factors such as CD4+ counts variation and liver enzymes among HIV co– infected patients and those with HIV mono-infections only.
Design and Methods: Three hundred and fourteen (314) HIV patients took part in this cross sectional case control study. Socio-demographic information and history of exposure to risk factors such as scarification, blood transfusion, and unprotected sexual intercourse and alcohol consumption, were obtained through a well-structured questionnaire. Serological tests were done to determine the presence of Hepatitis B (HB) surface Antigen, liver enzymes’ activities were estimated and CD4+ cell counts evaluated using standard laboratory methods.
Results: Out of the 314 HIV patients, 20 (6.4%) tested positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) while 294 (93.6%) were negative. Most HIV patients co–infected with HBV were in the age group 31 to 45 years. There was no significant variation when co-infection and mono-infection groups were compared based on age and sex (p=0.7405 and p=0.3361). More males, 7 (2.23%) against 2 (0.64%) females (P=0.02) co–infected with HBsAg had a CD4+ cell counts in the range 201-350cells/µL. No significant difference of liver transaminases (SGPT and SGOT) levels between mono and co-infection groups (P>0.05) was observed. No association of HBsAg with observed risk factors among HIV patients was noted.
Conclusion: The study concluded that the prevalence of hepatitis B among HIV patients was 6.4% with majority of the patients having CD4+ cell counts within 201-350. The liver function parameters (transaminases) were not affected with HIV/HBV co-infection.
Keywords: HBV, HIV, CD4 cell counts, SGPT, SGOT