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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Liver enzyme abnormalities (LEA) are extremely common and sometimes severe in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but data for this disorder are lacking in the developing countries. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with LEA in HIV-hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infected patients in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. METHODS: This cross-sectional analytical study included 180 people living with HIV (PLWHIV) mono-infected or co-infected with HBV/HCV between November 10, 2013 and January 10, 2014 in Kinshasa. Sociodemographic, clinical, biological, serological, and immunological data were analyzed. Levels of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transferase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) were determined. Antibody levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 44.2±11.0 years; female sex was predominant (76.7%). Co-infection, mainly with HBV, but also HCV, was found in 43 (23.9%) patients. Elevated liver enzymes were found in 77 (42.8%) of the patients. No difference was found in the rate of liver enzyme abnormalities between patients with HIV mono-infection or HIV co-infection (46.7% versus 30.2%, respectively; P=0.08). Factors associated with LEA were age ≥50 years (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.7; 95% CI 1.4-5.5), duration of HIV infection >3 years (adjusted OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.4-5.5), and CD4 T cells count ≤303 cells/mm3 (adjusted OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1-4.5). CONCLUSIONS: Liver enzyme abnormalities are frequent in patients co-infected with HIV-HBV/HCV as well as in HIV patients without co-infection. Diagnosis is determined based on age, immunodeficiency, and length of illness.
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INTRODUCTION: Because of the cost, in the hemodialysis centers of Kinshasa, the double dose of hepatitis B (HBV) vaccine is administered only to HIV infected patients while other patients receive a single dose. This study aimed to evaluate the single-dose vaccination Protocol and identify determinants of seroconversion's lack of anti-HBs after vaccination schedule. METHODS: 56 non-HIV chronic hemodialysis patients serologically negative for HBs Ag, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were selected between January 2014 and December 2016. The recombinant DNA vaccine (Euvax B®20 µg) was administered intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle at days 0, 30, 60 and 180. Serum anti-HBs titer was assayed at day 240. The endpoint was seroconversion, defined as anti-HBs titer ≥ 10 IU/l (10-99 IU/l = low protective vaccine response; ≥ 100 IU/l = highly protective vaccine response). Anti-HBs titer < 10 IU/l defined a lack of seroconversion. A Logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the lack of seroconversion. RESULTS: In the study group (mean age 55.6± 15.1 years; 73 % men, 36% diabetic and 86% hypertensive), low and highly protective vaccine responses were seen in 32% and 50% respectively versus 18% of patient had a lack of seroconversion. CRP > 6 mg/L (aOR: 8.96), hypoalbuminemia (aOR: 6.50) and KT/V < 1.2 (aOR: 3.70) were associated with the lack of seroconversion. CONCLUSION: Half of the patients in the study had either a lack or low protective vaccine response. Patient-related factors and hemodialysis parameters were the main factors associated with the lack of anti-HbS seroconversion. These results highlight the need to maximize doses of vaccine in all patients.