The interrelationship between HBV‐markers and HIV antibodies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

To determine the interrelationship between hepatitis B viral markers (HBV), the human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in HCC patients, a total of 282 subjects were included in the study. Out of 282 subjects, 182 were HCC patients as determined by raised α‐feto‐protein (AFP) of >1,000 ng/ml. The other 100 control patients presented with other conditions and had detectable AFP of <1,000 ng/ml i n their sera. On presentation, 10 ml of venous blood was drawn from each enrolled subject and taken to the laboratory. HBV markers were detected using commercial reagents; HIV antibodies were detected by the commercial ELISA tests and were confirmed by Western blot. AFP was detected using an RIA technique. Of 282 examined subjects 182 (64.5%) had detectable AFP of >1,000 ng/ml. 113 (40.1%) and 103 (36.5%) had HBsAg and Anti‐HBc respectively. However, HBeAg was found in 21 of 113 (18.6%) of the HBsAg positive only. Anti‐HIV anti‐bodies were present in 15 (5.3%) of the 282 tested individuals. Only 1 (1.0%) of the control group had detectable anti‐HIV antibodies in the serum. Eleven percent and 4.0% of the same control group had HBsAg and anti‐HBc in their sera respectively. The study shows a significant correlation between HCC and HBV‐markers ( P < 0.0001). Similarly, a significant correlation between anti‐HIV antibodies and HBV‐markers, ( P < 0.0001) was found. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.