Incidence of HIV, HBN and HCV Infections Detected by PCR Method in BlH

Direct monitoring by sensitive nucleic-acid tests would provide data accurately to measure the risk and to assess risk-reduction procedures. We adapted PCR method for investigation the incidence of HIV, hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus infections during last two (HBV, HCV) or three years (HIV) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. - For this PCR testing individual plasma samples were analyzed. Virus deoxyribonucleic acids were extracted by QIAamp nucleic acids extraction method. The HCV ribonucleic acid was extracted by High Pure Viral RNA Kit (Roche) also from plasma samples. We detected integrated form of HIV and HBV-viral DNA but in the case of HCV it was RNA from free viral particles present in the blood of patient. For HCV detection an additional reverse transcription step before PCR amplifications was performed. Amplified virus-specific sequences by specific complementary primers were detected by agarose-gel electrophoresis. - Using this validated methodology routine, we checked 184 persons on HIV infection from July 1998. up to the end of 2000. 8 (4.4%) of them were HIV-RNA positive. One of positive persons was a patient from Clinic of Infectious Diseases, other 7 HIV-RNA positive (6 injection drug users and 1 from promiscuity-risk group) were tested on their personal request. During 1999. and 2000 we performed 54 tests for identification HBV infected individuals and found 11 (20.4%) HBV positive persons. 7 of them were patients from Clinic of Gastroenterohaepathology, 1 from Paediatric Clinic and 3 from external medical institution. The HCV tests for the same period included 148 tested persons. 9 (6.1%) of them were HCV-RNA positive. It was 1 patient from Clinic of Infectious Diseases, 1 patient from Institute of Nephrology, 5 patients from Clinic of Gastroenterohaepathology and other 2 patients were from external medical institution. None of PCR-tested persons had HBV/HCV or other dual positivism. - HIV, HBV and HCV have been the viruses most intensively subjected to PCR analysis. It has been necessary to have an overview of incidence of infectious diseases caused by these viruses for a transition-state country such as BiH. In consideration of number of our population there is relatively high percentage of HIV, HCV and especially HBV positivism. It would be necessary to realize better transmission control preventing infections by these viruses in BiH. Those are the results of PCR diagnostics without serological investigations.