Laboratory values indicate high prevalence of Hepatitis B in people living with HIV in Lesotho

What is it about?

This study was an assessment of the coinfection status of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Lesotho, and this has been rarely reported. Findings indicated that up to 10.5% of HIV-positive patients may be coinfected with HBV/HIV, when other factors are considered. Gender and liver function tests are important predictors for HBV/HIV coinfection. Increased screening for HBV coinfection in HIV-positive patients is therefore recommended.

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Why is it important?

This study highlights that HBV/HIV coinfection is more common than previously reported in high HIV burden settings. Scaling up HBV screening among HIV patients is important.

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