Infections due to Hepatitis B and C are important in high risk group individuals like HIV positive and chronic renal failure patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of these viruses in this group of patients. The study cohort comprised of a total of 391 HIV positive individuals and 201 chronic renal failure patients enrolled in the study from January to June 2008. The healthy controls group comprised of 511 antenatal women. All these groups were screened for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen by sandwich ELISA and anti HCV antibodies were detected by third generation ELISA. Among HIV positive patients, HBV and HCV infections were detected in 8 (2.04%) and 24 (6.1%) respectively. The positivity in CRF cases was 12 (5.97%) for HBV infection and 7 (3.48%) for HCV infection. Among antenatal women, HBV and HCV could be detected in 4 (0.78%) and 3 (0.58%) respectively. Co infection with both the hepatitis viruses was reported only in one patient with chronic renal failure. The present study emphasizes the need for early screening for HBV and HCV infections in HIV positive patients. These viruses s are a major cause of post transplant hepatitis in Indian patients with CRF thereby implementation of stringent screening procedures is needed for these viral infections.
