Higher levels of hepatitis C virus RNA found in blood donors co-infected with HIV as compared to HCV mono-infected donors

• Published in: Journal of infection in developing countries 2014-08, Vol.8 (8), p.1068-1071
• Main Authors: Alidjinou, Enagnon Kazali, Moukassa, Donatien, Ebatetou-Ataboho, Eben, Mahoungou, Gael Honal, Pambou, Jean-Paul, Sané, Famara, Prevost, Brigitte, Bocket, Laurence, Ibara, Jean-Rosaire, Hober, Didier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Blood & organ donations; Blood Donors; Congo; Female; Hepacivirus - isolation & purification; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C, Chronic - virology; HIV; HIV Infections - complications; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infections; Interferon; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; RNA, Viral - blood; Transaminases - blood; Viral Load; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1972-2680; 2036-6590; 1972-2680
• DOI: 10.3855/jidc.4767

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are public health problems in sub-Saharan countries such as the Republic of Congo. HIV infection could impact the characteristics of HCV infection in co-infected people. We investigated HCV-HIV co-infection among blood donors in Congo. Ninety-nine HIV-positive and/or HCV-seropositive blood donors were selected during screening and subsequently tested for aminotransferases and HCV RNA. A total of 29 donors were found positive for HCV RNA (HCV-infected individuals), including 19/60 (31.66%) HIV donors (co-infected) and 10/39 (25.64%) non-HIV donors (mono-infected). Most of the co-infected donors (17/19) displayed a high viral load (> 5 log). The median HCV RNA level was at least 2 logs higher in co-infected people. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also slightly higher in co-infected donors than in HCV mono-infected donors. This study reports HCV-HIV co-infection among blood donors in Congo and shows that HCV viral load is higher in HIV donors.