Incidence of Hepatitis C and B viruses among HIV seropositive subjects in Ekiti State Nigeria.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus ( H V C ) c o - i n f e c t i o n s i n H u m a n immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive individuals still pose a threat to life in the tropics especially in West Africa and their relationship with haematological parameters is not clearly explained. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Hepatitis B and C virus, and to estimate full blood count (FBC) among HIV seropositive subjects. Three hundred and thirty (330) individuals aged 18-65 years were recruited for this study comprising of one hundred and eighty (180) HIV seropositive adults, and one hundred and fifty (150) HIV negative apparently healthy controls. Socio-demographic parameters were obtained using questionairre, venous blood samples were collected from each consenting individual, and were screened for HIV, HBsAg, HBeAg and HCV by ELISA methods. The FBC was done by automated technique and HIV confirmation test was carried out for HIV seropositive individuals. The mean age of 35 years had the highest frequency of 28.89%, HIV individuals that are single had a frequency of 48.33%, secondary school holders had a frequency of 47.78% and those who had knowledge of Hepatitis had a frequency of 3.3%. There were zero incidences of HCV and HBV. The lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, haemoglobin, red blood cells and red cell indices, platelets and platelet indices were significant at p<0.05 when compared with controls. The alterations in haematological parameters were not primarily due to HBV, HCV coinfections and antiretroviral medications intake by the HIV seropositive individuals may have cleared other viruses hence the zero incidence recorded in this study.