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PURPOSE Major improvements have occurred in access to invasive cervical cancer (ICC) screening in HIV-infected women over the past decade in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited information on changes in the burden of HIV-related ICC at a population level. Our objective was to compare HIV-related ICC over a decade and document factors associated with HIV infection in women with ICC in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted in referral hospitals of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, through the 2009-2011 and 2018-2020 periods. Women diagnosed with ICC were systematically tested for HIV. Demographics, ICC risk factors, cancer stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics), and HIV characteristics were collected through questionnaires. Characteristics of HIV-related ICC were compared between the periods, and factors associated with HIV in women diagnosed with ICC in 2018-2020 were documented through a multivariable logistic model. RESULTS During the 2009-2011 and 2018-2020 periods, 147 and 297 women with ICC were diagnosed with estimated HIV prevalence of 24.5% and 21.9% ( P = .53), respectively. In HIV-infected women, access to antiretroviral treatment increased from 2.8% to 73.8% ( P < 10−4) and median CD4 cell count from 285 (IQR, 250-441) to 492 (IQR, 377-833) cells/mm3 ( P = .03). In women diagnosed with ICC during the 2018-2020 period, HIV infection was associated with a less advanced clinical stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics I or II stage) (adjusted OR, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.1 to 4.4]) and with ICC diagnosis through a systematic screening (adjusted OR, 10.5 [95% CI, 2.5 to 45.5]). CONCLUSION Despite a persistently high proportion of HIV-related ICC over time in Côte d'Ivoire, HIV was associated with less advanced clinical stage at ICC diagnosis. Recent improvements in ICC screening services across HIV clinics might explain this association and support their implementation across non-HIV health facilities.

BackgroundCervical cancer prevention strategies recommend human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination for female adolescents prior to their sexual debut. While HIV is a major risk factor for HPV infection in women of childbearing age, its prevalence among HIV-infected adolescent female is mostly unknown. This study aimed to describe the HPV prevalence and correlates among perinatally HIV-infected adolescent females prior to HPV immunisation.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to June 2016, in the four major paediatric HIV clinics of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. All HIV-infected females aged 11–16 years were approached to participate in the study. A questionnaire assessing sexual behaviours and genital hygiene practices was administered to participants completed with a systematic vaginal swab collection. HPV genotyping was performed using the Anyplex II HPV28 Detection (Seegene). A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the presence of HPV infection. HPV immunisation was proposed free of charge to all participants.ResultsA total of 250 participants were included, with a median age of 13 years (IQR 11–14). Among them, 237 (94.8%) were on antiretroviral treatment with a median CD4 count of 660 (IQR 439–914) cells/mm3. The overall prevalence of at least one HPV was 3.6% (95% CI 1.6 to 6.7) and the prevalence of at least one carcinogenic HPV was 2.8% (95% CI 0.7 to 4.8). Vaginal cleansing was reported by 75 (30%) of participants, with a median age at initiation of 12 years (IQR 10–13). Sexual activity was self-reported by 12 (4.8%) participants with a median age at sexual debut of 11 years (IQR 10–14). HPV infection was associated with vaginal cleansing (adjusted OR=7.0 (95% CI 1.4 to 31.6)).ConclusionThe reported low prevalence of carcinogenic HPV infections supports the appropriateness of HPV immunisation in this population. The reported association between cleansing practices and HPV infection deserves further prospective longitudinal studies.

BACKGROUND: Major improvements have occurred in access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and invasive cervical cancer (ICC) prevention of HIV-infected women over the past decade in sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is limited information on changes in the burden of HIV-related ICC at a population level. Our objective was to compare HIV-related ICC over a decade and document factors associate with HIV infection in women with ICC in Côte d’Ivoire.METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted in referral hospitals of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire during the 2009-2011 and 2018-2020 periods. During both periods, women diagnosed with ICC were systematically tested for HIV. A common questionnaire was administered to collect demographic information, ICC risk factors, cancer stage (FIGO) and HIV characteristics (ART use, last known CD4 count) for those screened positive. Characteristics of HIV-related ICC were compared between the time periods and factors associated with HIV in women diagnosed with ICC in 2018-2020 were documented through a multivariate logistic model.RESULTS: During the 2009-2011 and 2018-2020 periods, 147 and 297 women with ICC were diagnosed, with median [IQR] age at ICC diagnosis of 49 [40-57] years and 51 [43-60] years (p=0.01), respectively. The estimated HIV prevalence was 24.5% and 21.9% (p=0.53), respectively. An advanced FIGO stage (III, IV) was documented in 74.5% and 76.2% of women during these two time periods (p=0.72). In HIV-infected women, access to ART increased from to 2.8% to 73.8% (p-4) and median CD4 cell count from 285 [IQR 250 – 441] to 492 [IQR 377 – 833] cells/mm3 (p=0.03) between the two time periods. In Women diagnosed with ICC during the 2018-2020 period, HIV infection was associated with a less advanced clinical stage (FIGO I/II stage) [aOR=2.2 (95%CI 1.1-4.4)] and with higher ICC diagnosis through a systematic screening [aOR=10.5 (95%CI 2.5-45.5)].CONCLUSIONS: Despite an improved access to ART in Côte d’Ivoire, the proportion of HIV-infected women diagnosed with ICC remains high in 2020. HIV-infected women diagnosed with ICC in 2018-2020 presented with less advanced stage and a higher access to ICC screening at diagnosis compared to their uninfected counterparts suggesting an enhanced access to early ICC diagnosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer in West Africa where HBV infection is endemic. However, limited information is available on other risk factors such as alcohol use, HCV and HIV infection. A case-control study was conducted in referral hospitals of Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire), Bamako (Mali) and Lome (Togo). Cases were matched with controls on age, gender and participating site. The diagnosis of HCC relied on the combination of one or more space-occupying lesions suggestive of an HCC on a standardized abdominal ultrasound and an α-fetoprotein level ≥400 ng/ml. HIV, HBV and HCV serology were performed. Hazardous alcohol use was assessed using the AUDIT questionnaire. A conditional logistic regression model was used to measure odds ratio (OR) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 160 cases and 320 controls were included. Cases were predominantly men (80.0%) with a median age of 47 years (IQR 38-57). Hazardous alcohol use (OR = 4.5 [CI 1.1-18.5]), HBV infection (OR = 62.5 [CI 20.5-190.7]) and HCV infection OR = 35.9 [CI 10.0-130.3]) were independently associated with HCC. Combining the effect of HBV infection and alcohol, HBV-infected hazardous drinkers had an OR = 149.8 (CI 13.5-1 667.0), HBV mono-infected had an OR = 57.4 (CI 18.8-175.3) (ref: HBV-negative). Aside the independent association of alcohol use and HBV and HCV infection with HCC, a synergic effect between alcohol use and HBV infection was identified. Timely screening and care of HBV infection and hazardous drinking might prevent a significant number of HCC in West Africa.

Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and prognosis aspects of tetanus in patients hospitalized at the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit of Treichville Teaching Hospital. Methods: A retrospective study of the medical records of all patients hospitalized between 2005 and 2014. The “Dakar prognosis score” was established on the basis of six parameters: incubation period, duration of invasion, site of entry, presence of paroxysms, body temperature and pulse rate. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with death. Results: Overall, 455 cases of tetanus were included, with a predominance of males (86%). Most patients lived in Abidjan (77%). A very high proportion of cases were generalized tetanus (96%), and 137 patients (30%) died. The factors associated with death were age >60 years (aOR 2.76; 95% CI 1.07 to 9.91), being a labourer (aOR 2.83 95% CI 1.07-9.39), a severe Dakar prognostic score (aOR 5.76; 95% CI 2.26-14.72), no intrathecal serotherapy (aOR = 15.6; 95% CI 5.40- 44.84), no penicillin-therapy (aOR 2.33; 95% CI 1.11-4.87) and the presence of complications (aOR 8.53, 95% CI 4.83-15.09). Conclusion: This study identifies a number of factors for a poor prognosis among patients with tetanus admitted to our hospital, indicating that measures to reduce morbidity and mortality due to tetanus should be strengthened and prevention improved in resource limited settings. The prognostic parameters in “the Dakar score” should therefore be adapted to the current epidemiological and clinical contexts in Cote d’Ivoire.

International audience; Although physical function decline is common with aging, the burden of this impairment remains underestimated in patients living with HIV (PLHIV), particularly in the older people receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) and living in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). PLHIV aged ≥50 years old and on ART since ≥6 months were included (N = 333) from three clinics (two in Côte d’Ivoire, one in Senegal) participating in the International epidemiological Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) West Africa collaboration. Physical function was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the unipodal balance test and self-reported questionnaires. Grip strength was also assessed. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with SPPB performance specifically. Median age was 57 (54–61) years, 57.7% were female and 82.7% had an undetectable viral load. The mean SPPB score was 10.2 ±1.8. Almost 30% had low SPPB performance with the 5-sit-to-stand test being the most altered subtest (64%). PLHIV with low SPPB performance also had significantly low performance on the unipodal balance test (54.2%, p = 0.001) and low mean grip strength (but only in men (p = 0.005)). They also showed some difficulties in daily life activities (climbing stairs, walking one block, both p

ObjectivesDespite the increasing number of interventions aiming to integrate cervical cancer screening into HIV clinics in sub-Saharan Africa, Women living with HIV (WLHIV) still have a high risk of developing cervical cancer. The aim of this study was to estimate the coverage of cervical cancer screening and associated factors among WLHIV in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.DesignCross-sectional survey conducted from May to August 2017.SettingsOutpatient setting in the four highest volume urban HIV clinics of government’s or non-governmental organisation’s sector in Côte d’Ivoire.ParticipantsAll WLHIV, aged 25–55 years, followed since at least 1 year, selected through a systematic sampling procedure.InterventionA standardised questionnaire administered to each participant by trained healthcare workers.OutcomeCervical cancer screening uptake.ResultsA total of 1991 WLHIV were included in the study, aged in median 42 years (IQR 37–47), and a median CD4 count (last known) of 563 (378-773) cells/mm3. Among the participants, 1913 (96.1%) had ever heard about cervical cancer, 1444 (72.5%) had been offered cervical cancer screening, mainly in the HIV clinic for 1284 (88.9%), and 1188 reported a personal history of cervical cancer screening for an overall coverage of 59.7% (95% CI 57.6 to 62.0). In multivariable analysis, university level (adjusted OR (aOR) 2.1; 95% CI 1.4 to 3.1, pConclusionInitiatives to support cervical cancer screening in HIV care programmes resulted in effective access to more than half of the WLHIV in Abidjan. Efforts are still needed to provide universal access to cervical cancer screening, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged WLHIV.

INTRODUCTION By 2020, 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV should receive long-term combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). In sub-Saharan Africa, this target is threatened by loss to follow-up in ART programmes. The proportion of people retained on ART long-term cannot be easily determined, because individuals classified as lost to follow-up, may have self-transferred to another HIV treatment programme, or may have died. We describe retention on ART in sub-Saharan Africa, first based on observed data as recorded in the clinic databases, and second adjusted for undocumented deaths and self-transfers. METHODS We analysed data from HIV-infected adults and children initiating ART between 2009 and 2014 at a sub-Saharan African HIV treatment programme participating in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA). We used the Kaplan-Meier method to calculate the cumulative incidence of retention on ART and the Aalen-Johansen method to calculate the cumulative incidences of death, loss to follow-up, and stopping ART. We used inverse probability weighting to adjust clinic data for undocumented mortality and self-transfer, based on estimates from a recent systematic review and meta-analysis. RESULTS We included 505,634 patients: 12,848 (2.5%) from Central Africa, 109,233 (21.6%) from East Africa, 347,343 (68.7%) from Southern Africa and 36,210 (7.2%) from West Africa. In crude analyses of observed clinic data, 52.1% of patients were retained on ART, 41.8% were lost to follow-up and 6.0% had died 5 years after ART initiation. After accounting for undocumented deaths and self-transfers, we estimated that 66.6% of patients were retained on ART, 18.8% had stopped ART and 14.7% had died at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS Improving long-term retention on ART will be crucial to attaining the 90% on ART target. Naive analyses of HIV cohort studies, which do not account for undocumented mortality and self-transfer of patients, may severely underestimate both mortality and retention on ART.

In HIV-infected patients thromboembolic disease is a complication linked to heightened risk. In Ivory Coast no study has been conducted on HIV-infected patients treated in HIV Services. The aim of our study is to describe HIV-associated thromboembolic manifestations in patients treated or untreated with antiretroviral drugs whose data were collected in the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Service (ITDS). We conducted a retrospective study by reviewing the medical records of HIV-infected patients hospitalized with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), arterial thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism over the period January 2005-July 2015. Diagnosis was based on Doppler ultrasound of vessels and/or on thoracic angioscanner. Diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary features of thromboembolic manifestations in these patients were analyzed. The medical records of 36 patients, including 23 women (64%), with a sex-ratio M/F of 0.57 and an average age of 43±12 years were selected. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was found in 26 (72.2%) patients, pulmonary embolism (PE) in 9 (25%) patients and arterial thrombosis in 1 patient (2.8%). DVT was unilateral in 81% of cases and predominantly left-sided in 77% of cases. PE was unilateral and right-sided in 100% of cases while arterial thrombosis was bilateral in 2.7% of cases. In patients with DVT, the femoral vein (39%) and the popliteal vein (35%) were most commonly affected by thrombosis. PE involved the pulmonary arteries in 77.8% of cases while arterial thrombosis involved the left and right internal carotid. The majority of patients was under antiretroviral treatment (69%). The most commonly associated opportunistic infections included oral candidiasis (31%) and tuberculosis (33%). Nine patients died (25%). This study highlights high rates of DVT in HIV-infected patients. Other studies are necessary to better understand the role of HIV in the occurrence of thromboembolic disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS While universal screening of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is recommended in high burden countries, little is known about the proportion of HBV-infected persons in need of antiviral therapy in these settings. METHODS Prisoners in Senegal and Togo, as well as female sex workers and men who have sex with men in Cote d'Ivoire were screened for HBV infection. All HBsAg-positive participants underwent transient elastography, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HBV viral load quantification. Individuals with liver cirrhosis or those aged>30 years with an HBV replication ≥20 000 IU/ml and elevated ALT were considered eligible for antiviral therapy. RESULTS Of 1 256 participants, 110 (8.8%) were HBsAg-positive; their median age was 30 years [interquartile range: 25-33] and 96 (86.5%) were men. Three individuals (2.7%) had liver cirrhosis while 28 (29.5%) of 94 participants with available measurements had an HBV viral load ≥20 000 IU/ml. Overall, 11 (10.0%) subjects were considered eligible for immediate antiviral treatment; 2.1% of participants in Dakar, 7.7% in Abidjan and 21.6% in Lome (p=0.001) and 59 (53.4%) for close monitoring due to the presence of significant liver fibrosis, elevated ALT or significant HBV replication. CONCLUSIONS Among vulnerable populations in West Africa, a minority of HBV-infected individuals were eligible for immediate antiviral therapy. Prospective cohort studies are necessary to evaluate anti-HBV treatment eligibility facing the significant proportion of individuals with active chronic HBV infection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Introduction : Liver fibrosis is often the first stage of liver disease in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in industrialized countries. However, little is known about liver fibrosis and its correlates among PLWHIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods : The study was undertaken in three HIV referral clinics in Cote d ’ Ivoire, Senegal and Togo. Enrolled PLWHIV underwent a non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis combining liver stiffness measure (LSM) with transient elastography and the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI). Significant liver fibrosis was defined as LSM ≥ 7.1 kPa. Patients were screened for alcohol use (alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT)-C questionnaire), hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen, hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) antibody and anti-hepatitis C (HCV) antibody. A logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with significant liver fibrosis. Results : A total of 807 PLWHIV were screened at a median age of 43 years (interquartile range (IQR): 36 – 50). Their median CD4 count was 393 cells/mm 3 (IQR: 234 – 563) and 682 (84.5%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The prevalence of significant fibrosis was 5.3% (3.8 – 6.7). Infections with HBV and HCV were identified in 74 (9.2%) and nine (1.1%) participants. Main factors associated with liver fibrosis were alcohol use (AUDIT-C >6): (odds ratio (OR) = 4.0, confidence interval (CI): 1.2 – 14.0), (Ref. AUDIT-C

Malaria and HIV are the most important infections in subSaharan Africa, in terms of the morbidity and mortality they cause. Current data suggest a possible interaction between the two diseases. Cellular immunodeficiency due to HIV infection might increase the frequency and severity of malaria, as local populations in endemic areas become less resistant. Likewise, the onset and repetition of malaria episodes might activate HIV replication and thus decrease the number of CD4 lymphocytes and accelerate the disease course. Despite their geographical coincidence, the epidemiological profiles of malaria and HIV differ considerably. The entanglement of these two diseases has epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic consequences in subSaharan Africa that raise concerns that HIV with malaria, as with tuberculosis, is a match made in Hell.

Quality of life and life span have considerably increased in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients over the past years owing to the highly effective antiretroviral therapy. Consequently, the number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased in dialysis centers. Several teams in the United States as well as in Europe have therefore proposed renal transplantation to this group of patients with encouraging results. From March 2015 to February 2016, four kidney transplantations have been conducted in the very first kidney transplantation program ever in French speaking black Africa. Three male and one female with a mean age of 50.75 years have been transplanted. One of them was HIV-2 positive. Before kidney transplantation, patients have exhibited diverse highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen. They all have undetectable viremia and the mean value of the CD4 count was 454.5 cells/µL. Raltegravir, an integrase inhibitor, has systematically been added to the baseline HAART therapy at least 30 days before transplantation. Immunosuppression comprised basiliximab as induction therapy, tacrolimus, sodium mycophenolate and steroids. After a mean time of six months, all the patients are alive with a mean serum creatinine of 1.425±0.263mg/dl, and a mean proteinuria of 0.55±0.29 g/d. We present these results in full, and discuss them according to data retrieved from the literature. The conditions of access of human immunodeficiency virus positive patients to renal transplantation, the immunosuppression and the antiretroviral regimen, graft and patient survival have all been discussed accordingly.

The consequences of the HIV epidemic on cancer epidemiology are sparsely documented in Africa. We aimed to estimate the association between HIV infection and selected types of cancers among patients hospitalized for cancer in four West African countries. A case-referent study was conducted in referral hospitals of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Togo. Each participating clinical ward included all adult patients seeking care with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer. All patients were systematically screened for HIV infection. HIV prevalence of AIDS-defining and some non-AIDS defining cancers (Hodgkin lymphoma, leukaemia, liver, lung, skin, pharynx, larynx, oral cavity and anogenital cancers) were compared to a referent group of cancers reported in the literature as not associated with HIV. Odds ratios adjusted on age, gender and lifetime number of sexual partners (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Among the 1,644 cancer patients enrolled, 184 (11.2%) were identified as HIV-infected. The HIV prevalence in the referent group (n=792) was 4.4% [CI 3.0–5.8]. HIV infection was associated with Kaposi sarcoma (aOR 34.6 [CI: 17.3–69.0]), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (aOR 3.6 [CI 1.9–6.8]), cervical cancer (aOR 4.3 [CI 2.2–8.3]), anogenital cancer (aOR 17.7 [CI 6.9–45.2]) and squamous cell skin carcinoma (aOR 5.2 [CI 2.0–14.4]). A strong association is now reported between HIV infection and Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers including cervical cancer and anogenital cancer. As these cancers are amenable to prevention strategies, screening of HPV-related cancers among HIV-infected persons is of paramount importance in this African context.

SETTING: Drug resistance threatens tuberculosis (TB) control, particularly among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected persons.OBJECTIVE: To describe practices in the prevention and management of drug-resistant TB under antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs in lower-income countries.DESIGN: We used online questionnaires to collect program-level data on 47 ART programs in Southern Africa (n = 14), East Africa (n = 8), West Africa (n = 7), Central Africa (n = 5), Latin America (n = 7) and the Asia-Pacific (n = 6 programs) in 2012. Patient-level data were collected on 1002 adult TB patients seen at 40 of the participating ART programs.RESULTS: Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) was available in 36 (77%) ART programs, but was only used for 22% of all TB patients. Molecular DST was available in 33 (70%) programs and was used in 23% of all TB patients. Twenty ART programs (43%) provided directly observed therapy (DOT) during the entire course of treatment, 16 (34%) during the intensive phase only, and 11 (23%) did not follow DOT. Fourteen (30%) ART programs reported no access to second-line anti-tuberculosis regimens; 18 (38%) reported TB drug shortages.CONCLUSIONS: Capacity to diagnose and treat drug-resistant TB was limited across ART programs in lower-income countries. DOT was not always implemented and drug supplies were regularly interrupted, which may contribute to the global emergence of drug resistance.

Background In resource-limited settings where nevirapine-containing regimen is the preferred regimen in women, data on severe adverse events (SAEs) according to CD4 cell count are limited. We estimated the incidence of SAEs according to CD4 cell count and identify their risk factors in nevirapine-treated women. Methods All HIV-infected women who initiated nevirapine-containing regimen in the MTCT-Plus operational program in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, were eligible for this study. Laboratory and clinical (rash) SAEs were classified as grade 3 and 4. Cox models were used to identify factors associated with the occurrence of SAEs. Results From August 2003 to October 2006, 290 women initiated a nevirapine-containing regimen at a median CD4 cell count of 186 cells/mm3 (IQR 124-266). During a median follow-up on treatment of 25 months, the incidence of all SAEs was 19.5/100 patient-years. The 24-month probability of occurrence of hepatotoxicity or rash was not different between women with a CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm3 and women with a CD4 cell count ≤250 cells/mm3 (8.3% vs. 9.9%, Log-rank test: p = 0.75). In a multivariate proportional hazard model, neither CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm3 at treatment initiation nor initiation NVP-based regimen initiated during pregnancy were associated with the occurrence of SAEs. Conclusion CD4 cell count >250 cells/mm3 was not associated with a higher risk of severe hepatotoxicity and/or rash, as well as initiation of ART during pregnancy. Pharmacovogilance data as well as meta-analysis on women receiving NVP in these settings are needed for better information about NVP toxicity.

Objectives: To estimate adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its determinants in HIV-infected adults followed in field conditions in Abidjan. Methods: A standardized questionnaire was administered to all consecutive adults on HAART who attended 3 urban HIV outpatient clinics. Patients were asked to self-report their pill intake during the previous 7 days, and, when necessary, to explain the reason(s) why they missed at least 1 intake. The adherence rate was estimated as the number of pills actually taken divided by the number of pills that should have been taken. The association of incomplete adherence (adherence rate

Background Cancer is a growing co-morbidity among HIV-infected patients worldwide. With the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in developing countries, cancer will contribute more and more to the HIV/AIDS disease burden. Our objective was to estimate the association between HIV infection and selected types of cancers among patients hospitalized for diagnosis or treatment of cancer in West Africa. Methods A case-referent study was conducted in referral hospitals in Côte d’Ivoire and Benin. Each participating clinical ward enrolled all adult patients seeking care for a confirmed diagnosis of cancer and clinicians systematically proposed an HIV test. HIV prevalence was compared between AIDS-defining cancers and a subset of selected non-AIDS defining cancers to a referent group of non-AIDS defining cancers not reported in the literature to be positively or inversely associated with HIV. An unconditional logistic model was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the risk of being HIV-infected for selected cancers sites compared to a referent group of other cancers. Results The HIV overall prevalence was 12.3% (CI 10.3–14.4) among the 1,017 cancer cases included. A total of 442 patients constituted the referent group with an HIV prevalence of 4.7% (CI 2.8–6.7). In multivariate analysis, Kaposi sarcoma (OR 62.2 [CI 22.1–175.5]), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (4.0 [CI 2.0–8.0]), cervical cancer (OR 7.9 [CI 3.8–16.7]), anogenital cancer (OR 11.6 [CI 2.9–46.3]) and liver cancer (OR 2.7 [CI 1.1–7.7]) were all associated with HIV infection. Conclusions In a time of expanding access to ART, AIDS-defining cancers remain highly associated with HIV infection. This is to our knowledge, the first study reporting a significant association between HIV infection and liver cancer in sub-Saharan Africa.