Sero - Epidemiology of Hepatitis E and D Infections among HIV - Infected and HIV/HCV - Coinfected Patients in Jahrom, Southern Iran

Background: Co - infection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients can develop and increase hepatic complications in the world, particularly in developing countries. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the sero - virological prevalence of HEV and HDV in patients bearing HIV infection and HIV/HCV co - infection, as well as their relation to clinical and demographic data. Methods: Cross - sectional study testing IgM/IgG anti - HEV and total antibodies HDV in serum samples belong to 73 HIV infected patients and co - infected HIV - HCV patients were evaluated. Demographic, lifestyle, and laboratory data such as CD4 counts and viral load were prospectively collected on each patient with the HIV infection. Results: There were 26 HEV infected patients IgG positive, two HEV infected patients IgM positive, two HDV infected patients total antibodies positive, and only one HDV infected patient IgM among the 73 HIV infected patients. The prevalence of HDV positive IgG and total anti - HDV among co - infected patients were 2.2% and 2.2%. In addition 18 (69.2%) and 2.2% were positive for anti - HEV IgG and IgM, respectively. Furthermore, HIV viral load among HIV co - infected patients with HEV or HDV were shown higher compared to patients solely infected with only HIV. Also, the numbers of HEV or HDV positive were high in low levels of CD4. Conclusions: According to the results, frequency of occurrence of hepatitis E was higher than hepatitis D in HIV infected patients. Severity of HIV infection and liver damage caused by HEV and HDV infections were in a direct relationship. Hence, HIV and HCV screening should be implemented in HIV - infected patients with liver damage.