Impact of HIV and Hepatitis B Virus Coinfection on Selected Haematological Markers of the Patients in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was done to determine impact of HIV/HBV co infection on selected haematological markers of the patients. The study was done in Umuahia,Abia State,Nigeria. One hundred and eighty six subjects were recruited for the study. Eighty (80) subjects were HIV positive patients and twenty six subjects were HIV/HBV co infected patients. Thirty (30) subjects were HBV subjects, fifty (50) subjects were the control. Two milliliters (2.0ml) of venous blood was collected following aseptical techniques from each subject into EDTA anticoagulated containers for the CD4 count and Full blood count. Two different HIV screening kits were used (determine and Unigold test kits) for the detection of HIV-seropositivity following serial algorithm. One step Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) test strip method. The CD4 + T cells were determined using flowcytometry method. The results showed significant increase (P<0.05) in all the parameters studied when compared among the HIV monoinfected patients and HIV-HBV co infected patients. There was significant decrease (P<0.05) in CD4+ T cells of the HIV-HBV co infected subjects compared to HIV monoinfected subjects. The results also showed significant difference (P<0.05) in platelets,WBC,absolute neutrophil,PCV and haemoglobin and no significant difference (P>0.05) in absolute lymphocyte of HBV subjects compared to the controls. The study also showed significant difference (P<0.05) in platelets, absolute lymphocytes, absolute neutrophil and no significant difference (P>0.05) in WBC,PCV and haemoglobin.This shows that HBV leads to thrombocytopaenia which can cause a lot of bleeding disorders. The viral infection did not affect WBC,PCV and haemoglobin in HIV subjects compared to HBV subjects. The viral infection affects the leucocytes and platelets more than the erythrocytes line.It shows that HBV infection to HIV positive patients is dangerous and should be prevented.HIV positive persons should be counseled to avoid illicit and unprotected sexual intercourse and other ways that could expose them to the transmission of HBV because of the adverse effects on their health status.