Detection of highly prevalent hepatitis B virus co‐infection with HIV in I ndonesia

Aim The prevalence of hepatitis B virus ( HBV ) co‐infection with HIV is increasing worldwide because of shared transmission routes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of HBV and HIV co‐infection in I ndonesia, and its molecular and clinical characteristics. Methods A total of 118 serum samples from HIV ‐infected patients (age 33.3 ± 8.9 years, 99 male, 19 female) collected in 2009 were serologically examined. HBV DNA was assessed by polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) analysis targeting the S region. Results Overall, 15.3% (18/118) of the patients were hepatitis B surface antigen ( HBsAg ) positive, whereas 27.1% (32/118) were HBsAg negative but HBV DNA positive, and were considered to have occult HBV infection. HBsAg antibodies and/or HBV core antibodies were detected in 45.6% (31/68) of HBV DNA negative patients. Conclusion HBV co‐infection, including occult HBV infection, was common in Indonesian HIV patients. Hepatic damage by the interaction of host immunity and HBV is still a remaining issue in these immunosuppressive patients, and further study will be needed.