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Research Article
The burden of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anemia in Uyo, Nigeria: A hospital based cross-sectional study
1 Department of Haematology, University of Uyo/University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
2 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Uyo/University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
3 Department of Family Medicine, University of Uyo/University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
4 Department of Histopathology, University of Uyo/University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
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Idongesit Samuel Akpan
Department of Haematology, University of Uyo/University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, AkwaIbom State,
Nigeria
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Article ID: 100066Z02IA2021
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Akpan IS, Onukak AE, Edet IV, Oyewumi AO. The burden of human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients with sickle cell anemia in Uyo, Nigeria: A hospital based cross-sectional study. Int J Blood Transfus Immunohematol 2021;11:100066Z02IA2021.ABSTRACT
Background: Blood transfusion is an invaluable therapeutic intervention in sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients’ care. Sickle cell anemia patients usually require frequent blood transfusion and are at increased risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C virus infections through these transfusions.
Aims: To determine the seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and C virus infections in patients’ with sickle cell anemia and the role of blood transfusion in the transmission of the infections.
Methods: This was a prospective, observational cross-sectional study conducted on adult patients with SCA attending the Haematology Outpatient Clinic of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. Relevant clinical history was obtained from consenting subjects. Blood samples were collected for hemoglobin electrophoresis and viral antigen/antibody screening using ELISA kits. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) windows version 23.0.
Results: Eight-six patients with SCA participated in the study. Forty (46.5%) of the subjects were male and 63 (73.3%) of the participants were within the age range of 20–29 years. Seventy-five (87.2%) of the subjects had blood transfusion while 11 (12.8%) never received blood transfusion in their entire life. Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among the transfused SCA patients in this study was 9.3%, 24.0%, and 18.7% respectively while those not transfused had seroprevalence of 9.1% for HIV and 0% for both HBV and HCV. One (1.2%) of the transfused subjects tested positive for HIV and HCV. There was no statistically significant difference in the seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections in relation to the transfusion status of the subjects (p=0.98, 0.07, and 0.12, respectively).
Conclusion: The proportion of our SCA patients who were HIV, HBV, and HCV positive was considerable. Blood transfusion did not significantly influence the seroprevalence rates of these viral infections. Measures aimed at controlling the infections in the patients and the general population should be scaled up.
Keywords: HBV, HCV, HIV, Sickle cell anemia, Uyo
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Author Contributions
Idongesit Samuel Akpan - Conception of the work, Design of the work, Acquisition of data, Analysis of data, Drafting the work, Revising the work critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published, Agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Asukwo Etim Onukak - Conception of the work, Design of the work, Drafting the work, Revising the work critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published, Agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Iyanam Victory Edet - Conception of the work, Design of the work, Drafting the work, Revising the work critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published, Agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Ajayi Oyedele Oyewumi - Analysis of data, Drafting the work, Revising the work critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published, Agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
Guarantor of SubmissionThe corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.
Source of SupportNone
Consent StatementWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.
Data AvailabilityAll relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.
Conflict of InterestAuthors declare no conflict of interest.
Copyright© 2021 Idongesit Samuel Akpan et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.
