Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence and Genotype Distribution in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients from Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus infection is a major global health problem, particularly in HIV-infected patients and increases the risk of liver damage. The purpose of this study was to assess the HBV prevalence and genotypes among HIV-infected patients in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. This cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-positive patients attending an outpatient treatment center for HIV/AIDS in Brazzaville, from June 2018 to February 2020. Blood samples were screened for HBsAg by ELISA and HBV genotypes were determined by phylogenetic inference. Data analysis was done using SPSS V.21.0 and P value less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. A total of 275 patients HIV-infected were included. The prevalence of HIV-HBV coinfection was 6.9% (95%CI:4.21-10.58). The majority of the co-infected with HBV were mainly male patients (7.7%). HIV-positive individuals aged 28-38 (8.4%) were mostly affected. None of the risk’s factors tested was significantly associated with HBV in HIV-infected patients. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 9/15 (60%) belonged to genotype E while 6/15 (40%) belonged to genotype A including subgenotypes A3 and A5. In conclusion, these data underline the importance of HBV genotype identification as an integrated measure of HIV routine care to improve the treatment of HIV/HBV co-infected patients.