Hepatotoxicity of Antiretroviral Drugs in HIV Seropositive Nigerian Patients

Hepatotoxicity of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs using liver function parameters were assessed in 40 HIV seropositive subjects on ARV, 40 HIV seropositive subjects not on ARV and another 40 HIV seronegative subjects. They were all of the same age range of 19 - 56 years old. Results show that the serum activities of the liver enzymes and the concentrations of total and conjugated bilirubin were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the seropositive patients compared to the seronegative subjects. Similarly, total protein concentration of the HIV positive patients were significantly (P<0.05) reduced. A study of these parameters among the HIV seropositive groups, showed that administration of ARV drugs caused significantly (p<0.05) more effects on the parameters among the HIV seropositives on ARV drugs than on those not on any ARV drug. Sex of the patients was found not to significantly (P>0.05) influence the effects of HIV seropositivity and ARV drugs intake on the liver function parameters. The study affirms the potential risk of hepatotoxicity for HIV seropositive patients on ARV drugs and calls for continuous monitoring of ARV administration so as to prevent fatal effects of hepatotoxicity