An Insight into the Coinfections of Hepatitis B, C, and Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Iranian HIV Patients
نویسندگان
1 Department of Genetics and Plant Production, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IranDepartment of Genetics and Plant Production, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Microbiology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Microbiology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Microbiology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
5 Department of Microbiology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
doi
10.22034/ircmj.2024.199017چکیده
Background and Objectives: Prevalance of multiple opportunistic viruses and bacterial infections among individuals with human immunodeficieny virus (HIV) casts a pall over these patients’ wellbeing and life expectancy. This study investigated the co-occurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infections in Iranian patients with HIV. Methods: This experimental study, was conducted on 300 patients with HIV registered in March 2017 to March 2023 at the Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center in Tehran, who had been treated for more than 6 months. Participants' demographic information was recorded, and blood was drawn for the evaluation of the HBS antigen, HCV antibody using ELISA, virus load test using real-time PCR method, and CD4+ cell count. In addition, samples underwent biochemical tests and rpoB gene sequence analysis to evaluate the mycobacterium infection. Results: Out of 300 patients, 281 had HIV-1 and 19 had HIV-2, with an average CD4+ cell count of 722.8 cells/µL. Co-infection with HBV or HCV was observed in 8.0% (24/300) of patients, while 8.66% (26/300) had Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) co-infection. Notably, HIV-HCV co-infection was more prevalent (P < 0.01) and associated with shared needles and lower CD4+ cell counts (P < 0.01). Viral loads of both HBV and HCV were relatively high, further highlighting the risk associated with co-infections. PCR confirmed biochemical test results, and subsequent rpoB gene sequencing identified 26 M. tuberculosis strains. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of co-infections in Iranian HIV patients. The findings recommended early detection and treatment of both HIV and co-infections, as well as addressing the challenges and barriers to optimal care.
