OBJECTIVETo assess the prevalence of occult HBV infection in HIV-infected patients inacquired immune deficiency syndrome area.

METHODSSerum samples were obtained from 97 HIV-infected patients who transmitted by paid blood donation. ELISA was used to detect HBV erologic markers (HBsAg, Anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc) and HCV antibody. Flow Cytometry were used to detect CD4+ T cell count. Nested PCR was used to amplify surface protein region of HBV DNA.

RESULTSNinety two patients were HBsAg negative in the 97 HIV-infected patients (94.85%). Twenty seven patients were co-infected with occult hepatitis B virus infection in the 92 HBsAg negative patients (29.35%). Seventy three patients were co-infected with HCV in the 92 HBsAg negative patients(79.35%). CD4 cell count of subjects with occult HBV infection were significantly lower (212.11 +/- 133.1 cells/mm3 versus 318.9 +/- 172.2 cells/mm3, respectively, P < 0.01). A significantly higher prevalence of isolated anti-HBc was observed in HIV-infected subjects co-infectioned with occult HBV infection [62.96% (13 of 27) versus 18.46% (15 of 65), P < 0.01]. No statistical significant association could be established between the age, sex and whether co-infected with HCV.

CONCLUSIONIt is found that occult HBV infection did occurs in HIV-infected patients. Individuals co-infected with HIV and occult HBV infection are more likely to have isolated anti-HBc than subjects with HIV alone. Co-infection with HIV and occult HBV is more likely to occue in subjects with lower CD4.