Co-infection of Hepatitis C among HIV-infected patients: A cross-sectional study from A University Teaching hospital in Anambra State, Nigeria

Hepatitis C virus co-infection (HCV) with HIV is regarded as a significant public health risk despite being less frequent than hepatitis B co-infection with HIV. This observation results from HIV's impact on the HCV life cycle and, ultimately, the hepatic system. In this study, potential HCV co-infection was examined in connection to the socio-demographic characteristics of HIV-positive patients attending an HIV clinic at a University Teaching Hospital in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. Between September 2021 and June 2022, 255 HIV patients who consented to participate in the study had their HCV levels checked using the anti-HCV antibody ELISA kit (DIA.PRO, Italy). Using the Partec CyFlow, CD4 counts were calculated. During routine investigations, blood samples (approximately 5ml) were aseptically collected into sterile EDTA vials, and plasma samples were obtained by centrifugation. With the aid of Abbott Real-Time HIV-1 Assay US methodology, plasma viral loads (PVL) were also calculated. A total of 11 (4.3%) HIV-positive people were also confirmed to have HCV infection, with women making up the majority (4.8%). Most of those affected were between the ages of 31 and 40 (6.8%). With marital status, HCV co-infection was found more amongst married patients, with a rate of 4.8%. The prevalence of HIV/HCV co-infection was higher (4.8%) in those with CD4 cell counts under >350 cells per ml than others. Most patients (3.1%) did not have their viral RNA detected (TND). Self-employed infected persons and those with secondary school educational backgrounds had the highest HIV/HCV prevalence rate of 6.6% and 7.6%, respectively. The study's findings show no statistically significant relationships between the patients' socio-demographic traits and HCV. Also, HCV co-infection prevalence was significantly low in the study participants.