Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen and serological markers of other endemic infections in HIV-infected children, adolescents and pregnant women in Sierra Leone: A cross-sectional study

George A. Yendewa, Sulaiman Lakoh, Sahr A. Yendewa, Khadijah Bangura, Hannah Lawrence, Lucia Patiño, Darlinda F. Jiba, Alren O. Vandy, Mariama J.S. Murray, Samuel P. Massaquoi, Gibrilla F. Deen, Foday Sahr, Christopher J. Hoffmann, Jeffrey M. Jacobson, Eva Poveda, Antonio Aguilera, Robert A. Salata

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of serological markers of HBV and endemic acute and chronic infections (HAV, HCV, CMV, HTLV-1/2 and syphilis) in HIV-infected children, adolescents and pregnant women in Sierra Leone. Method: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the national children's and women's hospitals in Freetown. Logistic regression was used to assess predictors of HBsAg positivity. Results: 183 HIV-infected participants were enrolled, comprising children (n = 88), adolescents (n = 47) and pregnant women (n = 48). All participants (100%) were CMV IgG-positive, while 56.8%, 93.6% and 100% of children, adolescents and pregnant women, respectively, were HAV IgG-positive. The prevalence of HCV, HTLV-1/2 and syphilis were <4%. HBV markers were distributed as follows—children: HBsAg (2.3%), HBeAg (0%), anti-HBc (5.7%); adolescents: HBsAg (17.0%), HBeAg (6.4%), anti-HBc (27.7%); and pregnant women: HBsAg (18.8%), HBeAg (4.2%), anti-HBc (77.1%). Age >10 years, i.e., being born pre-2009 before implementation of routine hepatitis B immunization (aOR 5.05 [1.18−21.28]; p = 0.029) and CD4 count <350 cells/mm3 (aOR 3.97 [1.07−14.71]; p = 0.039) predicted HBsAg positivity. Conclusion: A high burden of chronic HBV and other endemic infections was observed among HIV-infected patients born pre-2009 before implementation of routine HBV immunization in Sierra Leone, warranting targeted screening and immunization of this high-risk population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)45-52
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume102
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2021

Keywords

  • CMV
  • HIV
  • HTLV
  • Hepatitis viruses
  • Sierra Leone
  • Syphilis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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