Co-infection of HIV and HBV in voluntary counseling and testing center in Abidjan

ObjectiveTo evaluate the co-infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and immune deficiency virus (HIV) among clients consulting at the Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center (VCT Center) of the Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire (IPCI).MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2010 at the VCT of IPCI. All clients attending the VCT of IPCI for HIV test after having signed the informed consent form were included in the study. Venous blood samples were collected from the clients after an interview. Then the rapid tests for screening of HIV infection (Determine HIV 1/2 of Abbott and Genie II HIV-1/HIV-2, Bio-Rad) were performed. As for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) test, it was performed using ELISA test system using Monolisa HBsAg Ultra-Bio-Rad.ResultsOf 278 samples analyzed, 30 were positive to antibody against HIV-1, giving a seroprevalence of about 10.8%, and 35 were positive to HBsAg, giving a seroprevalence of 12.6%. As for co-infection of HIV and HBV, it was 7/278 cases about 2.5%.ConclusionsIt can be concluded that co-infection of HBV and HIV is relatively low among clients consulting at the VCT of the IPCI. Serological surveillance should be systematic in various HIV testing centers in the country. The use of rapid tests for detection of HBsAg allows a lot of tests to be realized. However, the choice of these tests depends on the evaluation results in reference laboratories and situation on ground.