Some Haematological Parameters and CD4 Count in HIV and HBV Co-infected Patients in South Western Nigeria

This study aims at determining the prevalence of HBV, as well as its effect on immunological and haemtotological profile of HIV infected patients attending government owned health facilities in Osun state, Nigeria. Venous blood was collected from a total of 121 HIV HAART naïve patients and 200 HIV negative subjects as controls. Blood samples were analyzed for antibodies to HIV and HBV using immunochromatographic methods. CD4+ count was done using flow cytometry, Haemoglobin and platelet count of all hiv infected patients were also determined using Sysmex auto-analyzer. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data from all consenting patients. HIV status was identified as a risk factor for acquisition of HBV infection in this study (HIV positive vs. HIV negative: 16.5% v 3.5%; OR=5.460, 95% CI=2.233, 13.348, P=0.00). Age and gender of patients did not significantly affect the prevalence of HBV infection among HIV infected patients (P>0.05). The mean haemoglobin concentration, CD4 count and platelet count among HIV/HBV co-infected patients did not differ significantly from values obtained in HIV mono - infected group of patients (P>0.05). Among the HIV/HBV co-infected patients, the mean CD4 count was significantly higher in females than males (male v female 327.6 ± 8 .33 vs. 408.4 ± 331.28, P = 0.008). The mean hemoglobin concentration and platelet count among HIV\HBV co-infected patients did not define significantly with respect with gender (hemoglobin: male v female: 12.58 + 2.75 vs 9.81 + 2.12, P = 0.226). In the HIV/HBV co-infected cohort, age was observed to significantly affect the mean platelet count (P = 0.044) but not mean CD4 count (P = 0.426) and mean haemoglobin concentration (p = 0.122). The prevalence of HBV among HIV infected patients was high. HIV was identified as a risk factor for acquisition of HBV infection. The mean haemoglobin concentration, CD4 and platelet count of HIV/HBV co-infected patients did not differ significantly from values obtained in HIV mono-infected group of patients. Among HIV/HBV co-infected group of patients, gender and age were observed to significantly affect mean CD4 and platelet counts respectively. Routine screening of HBV among HIV infected patients is advocated.