Hepatitis B and C virus infections and liver function in AIDS patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg.

BACKGROUND

Impaired liver function tests and co-infection with hepatitis viruses in AIDS patients are common in western countries.

OBJECTIVE

To assess liver function and prevalence of co-infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in AIDS patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

DESIGN

A prospective study.

SETTING

Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa.

PATIENTS

One hundred consecutive patients with AIDS admitted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

RESULTS

There were 52 males and 48 females aged 16 to 54 years (mean + SD: 34.6 + 7.5 years). The results of laboratory test were as follows: LFTs: bilirubin 11.8 (+15.6) mumol/l; AST: 79.6 (+/- 116.6) iu/L; alkaline phosphatase: 204.3 (+/- 237.4) i mu/L; albumin: 23.9 (+/- 6.2) g/l; CD4+ lymphocytes: 141.5 (+/- 168.6) microliters; CD8+: 666.9 (+/- 618.3) microliters; HBV - HbsAg: 6 (6%); HbsAg + eAg: 3 (3%); previous disease (Anti HBs and/or anti HBc): 35%, HCV: 1(1%).

CONCLUSION

Liver function tests were impaired in the majority of patients with AIDS (93%) in our setting. Evidence of previous and present HBV infection was present in 41%. This is different from what is observed in western countries (90-95%). The results also suggest that patients here acquired HBV infection while still immuno competent. HCV infection was rare.