Hepatitis B virus and HIV infection among patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma in Kampala, Uganda

• Published in: African health sciences 2011-08, Vol.11 (3), p.S20-S23
• Main Authors: Ocama, P, Opio, KC, Kagimu, M, Seremba, E, Wabinga, H, Colebunders, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Aged; Cancer; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - epidemiology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - mortality; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - physiopathology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - virology; Coinfection; Death rates; Female; Health and Medicine; Hepatitis B - diagnosis; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B - prevention & control; Hepatitis B virus; Hepatitis B, HIV, Primary Hepatocelular Carcinoma; HIV Infections - diagnosis; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Humans; Liver; Liver Neoplasms - epidemiology; Liver Neoplasms - mortality; Liver Neoplasms - physiopathology; Liver Neoplasms - virology; Male; Medical disorders; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Uganda - epidemiology; Urban Population; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1680-6905; 1729-0503; 1680-6905
• DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v11i3.70065

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the commonest cause of primary hepatocellular (PHC) carcinoma worldwide. Coinfection with the HIV leads to more rapid progression of liver disease. Objectives: We described prevalence of HBV and HIV among patients with PHC admitted to Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda. Methods: We assessed all patients admitted to the gastrointestinal service of Mulago hospital with a diagnosis of PHC for HBV and HIV infection. Results: From March to June 2008, we recruited 15 patients. Nine (60%) were male; the overall median age was 32 years (IQR 15 -67), with median ages for male and female 33 and 36 years respectively. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and AFP were all elevated with median values of 57.5 IU/L, 222 IU/L, 392 IU/L and 362 ng/ml respectively (IQR 14-145, 49-393, 165-1294 and 7-480). Eight (53%) patients were from North and Northeastern Uganda. The HBsAg was reactive in 13(87%) patients and HIV in 3(20%), all of whom were also co-infected with HBV. Conclusion: There is high prevalence of HBV and HBV/HIV co-infection among patients with PHC in Uganda with high mortality. Reduction in incidence and mortality due to PHC in Uganda will require urgent large scale HBV vaccination.