--- Seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among Children In the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania

Thursday, 11th of October 2012

• · SEROPREVALENCE OF HBV AND HCV AMONG CHILDREN IN THE KILIMANJARO REGION OF TANZANIA

Presented by Ann M. Buchanan (United States).

F.J. Muro1, S.P. Fiorillo2, C. Odhiambo1, C.K. Cunningham3, A. Buchanan1,3,4

1Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, United Republic of Tanzania, 2University of Colorado, Denver, Division of Infectious Diseases, Aurora, United States, 3Duke University Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Durham, United States, 4Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, United Republic of Tanzania

Background: Data on HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection among children in Africa are scarce. We evaluated the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among healthy HIV-uninfected children and HIV-infected children in the Kilimanjaro Region of northern Tanzania.

 

Methods: HBV and HCV markers were assessed on banked serum and plasma samples from HIV-negative children ages 1 month to 18 years and HIV-infected children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) a minimum of six months from 1 to 16 years of age. HBV markers included hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody, and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb). Infection was defined as a single positive HBsAg or HBcAb result. HCV infection was assessed by anti-HCV ELISA. Validation studies were performed on all assays prior to use and all were FDA-approved.

 

Results: Samples from 560 children were available for testing. Of 394 HIV-negative children, 36 (9.1%) were HBV-infected, and of 161 HIV-infected children, 33 (20.5%) were HBV-infected. Children with HIV were 2.6 times more likely to be HBV positive (95% CI 1.53, 4.29) than children without HIV (p=0.0002). None of the 560 samples was positive for anti-HCV antibody.

Conclusions: HBV seroprevalence is high among children in the Kilimanjaro Region, with a significantly higher prevalence among HIV-infected children. Routine screening for HBV should be performed among HIV-infected children. Patients with co-infection require closer monitoring of liver transaminases due to hepatic toxicities associated with antiretroviral therapy, and must be provided with appropriate HAART which will target both viruses. Catch-up immunization with HBV vaccine should be considered for older HIV-infected children.