Biochemical profile of HIV and HBV coinfected patients: a cross-sectional study, in Libreville, Gabon

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is responsible for immunosuppression and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) for liver damage; therefore, HIV-HBV coinfection can easily lead to a deterioration in the patient’s overall condition and result in death. The objective of this study was to determine the biochemical profile of HIV and HBV coinfected patients in Libreville, Gabon. For this, a prospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study from August 1st to November 30th, 2025 was carried out at the Medical Analysis Laboratory. The study population consisted of men and women of various nationalities, some being sexually active and others not. The patients’ blood was collected in dry tubes and then centrifuged. The serum obtained was used to screen for HBsAg, by immunochromatographic tests and confirmed using the MINI VIDAS ® automated assay, then the biochemical parameters were determined according spectrophotometric methods. A total of 560; positive coinfected patients, 60 (10.71%) of them with HIV- HBV. Biochemical parameter analyses of co-infected patients also showed an abnormal increase in Alkaline Phosphatase (629.16 ± 9.88 IU/L, p = 0.0012), Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (70.66 ± 5.66 IU/L, p = 0.0023), Direct Bilirubin (14.15 ± 3.94 µmol/L, p = 0.0039), Total Bilirubin (20.05 ± 2.83 µmol/L, p = 0.0017), Creatinine (199.65 ± 5.51 µmol/L, p = 0.0052, in women; 245.68 ± 4.54 µmol/L, p = 0.0036, in men ), and Urea (10.04 ± 1.15 mmol/L, p = 0.25), as well as an abnormal decrease in total cholesterol (2.81 ± 0.17 mmol/L, p = 0.0022). Transaminases (ALT (20.05 ± 3.96 IU/L, p = 0.0018) and AST (31.70 ± 8.86 UI/L, p = 0.045)) and blood sugar levels (5.93 ± 0.66 mmol/L) were normal. The present study has shown that the biochemical profile of HIV-HBV co-infected patients is marked by total and direct hyperbilirubinemia, hypercreatinemia, uremia, alkaline hyperphosphatase, hypergamma glutamyl transferase and hypocholesterolemia. Thus, it is essential that antiretroviral therapy always be combined with monitoring of the patient’s biochemical parameters.