Analysis Of HIV/HCV Co-infection And HCV Genotype In High Risk Population In Four Provinces Of Middle And Western China

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a global health problem with an estimated 170 million people (3% of the total population) infected with this virus worldwide. Until April 2008, people infected with HIV have reached to 33 million, in which 30% were co-infected with HCV. Because of shared routes of transmission, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common in HIV-infected persons. HCV infection in HIV positive people (HIV/HCV co-infection as follows) has become a public health problem that we have to pay attention. Relevant studies show that genetic diversities between different genotypes of HCV have different pathogenicity, antigenicity, reaction for therapy and prognosis. As a result, testing and genotyping of HCV may provide significant reference to molecular epidemiology, surveillance and therapy of HIV/HCV co-infection.Object To investigate the prevalence rate of HIV/HCV co-infection in HIV positive population that take part in Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and to explore genotypes of HCV in HIV/HCV co-infected samples in Anhui, Henan and Shanxi provinces. To investigate the prevalence rate of HIV/HCV co-infection in HIV positive IDUs (Intravenous Drug Uers) and to explore genotypes of HCV in HIV/HCV co-infected IDUs samples in Guizhou province.Methods HCV anti-body was detected by using enzyme immunoassay test for HIV positive samples of VCT people. RT-PCR was used to amplify region of C/E1 of HCV. Genotypes of HCV were determined by genetic characterization of viral sequences.Results (1) The HIV/HCV co-infection prevalence rate in Anhui, Henan, Shanxi provinces obtained in this study was 55.4 percent averagely, and 49.0 percent, 58.7 percent and 40.0 percent respectively. The results indicated that 72.8 percent of samples were found to be of 1b genotype, 27.2 percent were 2a genotype and 1 percent were 3 a genotype. (2) The HIV/HCV co-infection prevalence rates in paid plasma aphaeresis donors, sexual partners of infected individuals and intravenous drug uers are: 71.2 percent, 32.3 percent and 91.1 percent respectively. (3) The HIV/HCV co-infection prevalence rate in Guizhou province obtained in this study was 78.3 percent averagely. The results indicated that 29 percent of samples were found to be of 1b genotype, 29 percent were 3a genotype and genotype of la, 2a, 3k were 1 percent averagely.Conclusions (1) The prevalence rate of HIV/HCV co-infection in Anhui, Henan, Shanxi provinces is higher than the average level all over the world. (2) The prevalence rate in sexual partners of infected individuals had a significantly higher prevalence than relevant studies of foreign countries. (3) Genotypes of HCV in IDUs diverse in other high risk population. (4) The co-infection of HIV/HCV hasn't notably effected the distribution of genotype of HCV.