Triple infections of HBV, HCV and Malaria Plasmodium falciparum among HIV-infected Individuals in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract Infectious diseases continue to remain life-threatening and a significant public health problem globally. Patients with HIV frequently have concomitant HBV, HCV, and malaria infections; thus, this study was undertaken to describe the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and Malaria triple infection with HIV among patients presenting at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. In this study, 104 HIV-positive patients were recruited and evaluated for the presence of HBsAg, HCV and Plasmodium falciparum with HBsAg rapid strips, anti-HCV antibodies ELISA kit (Dia. Pro), and SD Bioline RDT, following the respective manufacturer's instructions. The triple infection rate was 1.0% for HIV/HBV/HCV/Plasmodium falciparum. Other co-infections were 1.9% for HIV/HCV/Plasmodium falciparum, 2.9% for HIV/HBV/Plasmodium falciparum and 1.9% for HIV/HBV/HCV, respectively. A higher HIV/HBV/HCV/Plasmodium falciparum triple infection occurred in the age group 21–40 years (2.0%), females (1.3%), being single (2.3%), tertiary education holders (2.4%), students (4.3%), CD4 counts > 500 cells/µl (4.0%) and viral load (VL) < 20 copies/ml (2.0%). Higher HIV/HBV/HCV triple infections occurred in the age group ≥ 41 years (2.2%), males (3.5%), being single (2.3%), tertiary education holders (4.8%) and students (4.3%), having CD4 count 350–499 Cells/µl (7.1%), viral load 20–999 copies/ml (2.1%) and being on TLD ART (1.9%). Higher HIV/HBV/MPF triple infections occurred in the age group 21–40 years (3.9%), males (3.5%), being married (3.6%), tertiary education holders (4.8%) and students (8.7%), having CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/µl (7.7%), viral load < 20 copies/ml (3.8%) and being on TLD ART (2.9%). Higher HIV/HCV/MPF triple infections occurred in the age group 21–40 years (3.9%), females (2.7%), being single (4.7%), tertiary education holders (4.8%) and students (8.7%), having CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/µl (4.0%), viral load < 20 copies/ml (2.0%) and being on TLD ART (1.9%). None of the sociodemographic and clinical variables was significantly associated (p > 0.05) with triple infections. The present study has further confirmed the low occurrence (1.0%) of HIV/HBV/Plasmodium falciparum among HIV-infected individuals in Yenagoa, Nigeria. Ages 21–40 years, females, being single, tertiary education holders and students were more prone to triple infections. The concurrency of HIV/HCV/HBV and Malaria exists in Yenagoa, Nigeria. Therefore, it is recommended to perform routine screening of HIV-infected patients for simultaneous infection with HBV, HCV and Malaria.