The prevalence rate of hepatitis B and hepatitis C co-infection in HIV positive patients in Mazandaran province, Iran

Aim To investigate the prevalence rate of hepatitis B (HVB) and hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection in HIV positives in Mazandaran province. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study lasted from 2008 to 2010. The population of this study included 188 HIV positive persons confirmed to be infected by tests of ELISA I, II and western blood (WB) in the hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services. After getting permission, 5 cc venous blood samples were taken and drawn into a lab tube without citrate. Results Among the total of 188 HIV positive patients in Mazandaran province, only 80 patients were available, 62 had moved to other provinces, and 46 had died. Of the samples, 66 (82.5%) were males and 14 (17.5%) were females with the mean age of 37. Among the patients, nine (11.3%) were co-infected with HIV/HBV, 27(33.8%) with HIV/HCV, while 20(25%) were co-infected with HIV/HBV/HCV. Only one patient had travelled abroad and eight of them stated that they had used shared syringes. Conclusion The differences in the rate of HBV and HCV co-infection can be due to the epidemiologic conditions of viruses with different factors including different risk factors causing infection with these factors such as the rate of virus penetrating the body, the manner of penetration, patients' health condition, patients' culture, and their socio-economic condition, etc.