Epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in HIV-infected patients (EPIB 2005 STUDY)

Brief Report: Hepatitis B Infection or Reactivation After Switch to 2-Drug Antiretroviral Therapy: A Case Series, Literature Review, and Management Discussion

BACKGROUND

Two-drug antiretroviral therapy (ART) without hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity is prescribed for persons with HIV as simplified or salvage therapy. Although two-drug regimens are not recommended for persons with chronic HBV infection, guidelines do not address their use in those with HBV susceptibility and/or core antibody reactivity. We present a case series of individuals with HBV infection or reactivation following switch to two-drug, non-HBV-active ART.

SETTING

HIV primary care clinics of an academic medical center in New York, NY.

METHODS

Case surveillance was conducted to identify persons with HBV surface antigenemia and viremia following two-drug ART switch. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were ascertained through chart review.

RESULTS

Four individuals with HBV infection or reactivation after ART switch were identified. Two had HBV susceptibility, 1 had core antibody reactivity, and 1 had surface antigen reactivity preswitch. All eligible persons had received HBV vaccination: 2 with low-level antibody response and 1 with persistent nonresponse. Two presented with fulminant hepatitis, with 1 required liver transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Two-drug ART switch may pose risk of HBV infection or reactivation. We propose careful patient selection and monitoring through the following: (1) assessment of HBV serologies before switch and periodically thereafter, (2) vaccination and confirmation of immunity before switch, (3) risk stratification and counseling about HBV reactivation for those with core antibody, (4) preemptive HBV DNA monitoring for those at the risk of reactivation, (5) continuation of HBV-active prophylaxis when above measures are not feasible, and (6) continuation of HBV-active therapy and surveillance for chronic HBV infection.

Functional Cure of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Individuals With HIV-Coinfection: A Literature Review

In individuals infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), the loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is the ultimate therapeutic goal, which defines "functional cure." For individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), functional cure occurs roughly 2 per 100 person-years during potent anti-HBV containing antiretroviral therapy. Although this rate may be higher than expected in treated HBV mono-infected individuals, rates of functional cure widely vary between studies (0.6-10.5 per 100 person-years). Similar to HBV mono-infection, the phase of HBV infection, HBV (sub-)genotypes and hepatitis B "e" Ag-negative variants are associated with functional cure in treated HIV-HBV co-infection. In specifically HIV-HBV co-infected individuals, strong increases in CD4+ T cell counts after treatment initiation have also been linked to functional cure, yet this finding is inconsistent across studies. Several markers directly or indirectly reflecting HBV activity are being developed to predict functional cure, such as quantification of HBsAg, hepatitis B core-related antigen, HBsAg protein composition, anti-hepatitis B core antibodies and interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10. Few have been assessed during treatment in HIV-HBV co-infected individuals and none have been validated to predict functional cure. Novel therapeutics for HBV cure are essential for individuals with HIV-HBV co-infection and need to be separately evaluated in this population.

HEV and HBV Dual Infection: A Review

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a global health problem, affecting about 20 million people worldwide. There is significant overlap of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HEV endemicity in many Asian countries where dual infections with HEV and HBV can occur. Though the clinical course of HEV is largely self-limited, HEV superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can result in acute exacerbation of underlying CHB. HEV superinfection in patients with CHB-related cirrhosis has been identified as a risk factor for decompensated cirrhosis and an independent predictor of mortality. Whereas acute HEV infection in pregnancy can cause fulminant liver failure, the few studies on pregnant patients with dual HBV and HEV infection have shown a subclinical course. Immunosuppression is a risk factor for the development of chronic HEV infection, which can be managed by decreasing the dose of immune-suppressants and administering ribavirin. Vaccination for HEV has been developed and is in use in China but its efficacy in patients with CHB has yet to be established in the USA. In this review, we appraise studies on dual infection with HEV and HBV, including the effect of HEV superinfection and coinfection in CHB, management strategies used and the role of active vaccination in the prevention of HEV.

Chronic Hepatitis B, C, and D

Chronic hepatitis B, C, and D virus infections contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of immunocompromised individuals. To contextualize discussion of these infections in immunocompromised patients, this paper provides an overview of aspects of infection in normal hosts. It then describes differences in disease, diagnostic testing, and therapeutic management observed in immunocompromised patients.

Screening and diagnosis of HBV in low-income and middle-income countries

HBV testing and diagnosis of HBV-related liver disease in low-income and middle-income countries differs substantially from that in developed countries in terms of access to resources and expensive technologies requiring highly specialized staff. For identification and classification of HBV infection, genomic amplification methods to detect and quantify HBV DNA are often nonexistent or available only in central laboratories of major cities. When samples from peripheral locations do arrive, delays in receiving results generate loss to follow-up. Testing is often limited to measurement of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), alanine aminotransferase levels, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) to determine indications for antiviral therapy (AVT). Utilization of AVT is limited by cost and availability, particularly when patients are not covered by health insurance. The natural history of HBV infection is influenced by genotypes B and C in East Asia, where decades of immune tolerance have led to mostly vertical transmission; in sub-Saharan Africa, where genotypes A1 and E predominate, infection is transmitted horizontally between young children, followed by a nonreplicative phase. In both regions, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are common and would be considerably ameliorated by AVT. Implementation of the HBV vaccine since the 1990s in Asia and 2000s in Africa has decreased the incidence of HBV, but vaccine failure and insufficiently effective prevention remain concerning issues.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hepatitis B virus in HIV-infected patients in Guangdong, China

This study investigated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in HIV-infected adults at the time of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in Guangdong province, China. A total of 2793 HIV-infected adults were enrolled between January 2004 and September 2011. Demographic data and laboratory parameters were collected, HBV-DNA levels were measured, and HBV genotypes were identified before ART initiation. The prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in HIV-infected patients was 13.2%. A total of 266 HIV/HBV co-infected patients and 1469 HIV mono-infected patients were recruited. The median alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels of HIV/HBV co-infected patients were higher than HIV mono-infected patients (32 U/L vs. 22 U/L, p < 0.001 and 35 U/L vs. 24 U/L, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas the median CD4 cell count of HIV/HBV co-infected patients was lower than HIV mono-infected patients (59 cells/mm(3) vs. 141 cells/mm(3), p < 0.001). The level of CD4 cell count was lower in hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-positive co-infected patients than HBeAg-negative patients (36 cells/mm(3) vs. 69 cells/mm(3), p = 0.014). A similar result was found in high level of HBV-DNA and low level of HBV-DNA groups (33 cells/mm(3) vs. 89 cells/mm(3), p < 0.001). HBV genotypes were classified as genotypes B and C. Patients infected with genotypes B and C differed significantly in terms of proportion of those who were HBeAg-positive (40.5% vs. 62.2%, p = 0.014). This study indicates a high prevalence of HBsAg in HIV-infected adults in Guangdong. The level of CD4 cell count in HIV/HBV co-infected patients was much lower than HIV mono-infected patients, especially in patients who were HBeAg-positive and had a high level of HBV-DNA. The predominant HBV genotype in HIV/HBV co-infected patients is genotype B.

HBV and HIV coinfections among intending blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

HBV is a major public health concern as it afflicts an estimated 350 million people worldwide. Studies are crucial and necessary to give us a better understanding of the epidemiology of the diseases in developing countries. A clearer picture of HBV/HIV prevalence in Africa is important in order to better educate the population and control these epidemics. This study estimated the seroprevalence of HBV/HIV coinfections among intending blood donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. In this cohort study, we collected blood samples from 178 intending blood donors who were confirmed to be HIV-seropositive at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) from September 2012 to June 2013. Commercial ELISA was used to assay for the presence of HBsAg among these subjects. The overall prevalence was found to be 6.7%. Sex and education (P < 0.05) were the main correlates in this study. Age was not statistically correlated (P > 0.05) in this study. We also observed a high overall HBV/HIV co-infection seronegativity of 93.3% among these blood donors. Group-specific seronegativity was also high ranging from 86.4-100.0%. Although the age groups (13-20, 21-35, and 36-66 years) insignificantly differed, none of their variables showed statistical association with the seronegativity. Our findings underscore the importance of screening for HBV/HIV among blood donors in developing countries, and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemics are still growing and a major public health concern.

Therapeutic management and evolution of chronic hepatitis B: does HIV still have an impact? The EPIB 2012 study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

To compare the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and its evolution over time in currently followed HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.

METHODS

A total of 709 consecutive patients with past or present positive HBs antigenemia seen in October 2012 in 19 French participating centres were included. The data were retrospectively collected from the first visit onwards through standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS

Chronic hepatitis B was less often assessed in the 299 HIV-positive patients, who were older, more likely to be male, excessive alcohol drinkers and HBe antigen-, HCV- and HDV-positive. They were also followed up for a longer time (11.3 +/-8.8 vs. 8.6 +/-6.9 years, P < 10(-3) ) and were more frequently treated for HBV (95.3% vs. 56.8%, P < 10(-3) ). HBV was undetectable at the last visit in 80.8% of HIV-positive vs. 55.1% of HIV-negative patients (P < 10(-3) ). In multivariate analyses, undetectable HBV was significantly associated with older age, lower baseline HBV DNA, longer HBV therapy and no previous lamivudine monotherapy, but not with HIV. Cirrhosis was associated with age, male gender, Asian origin, alcoholism, HCV, HDV, but not with HIV infection. Hepatocellular carcinoma, less frequently observed in HIV-positive patients (0.7% vs. 4.7%, P = 0.002), was positively associated with age, male gender, cirrhosis and negatively associated with HIV infection (OR 0.15, 95%CI 0.03-0.67, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the assessment of CHB still has to be improved in HIV-positive patients, the negative impact of HIV on the virological, histological and clinical evolution of CHB seems to be disappearing, probably because of the immunovirological impact of HAART and the more frequent and longer use of HBV therapy.

Review of tenofovir use in HIV-infected children

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in children ages 2 years and older and is recommended by the World Health Organization for use as a preferred first-line nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor in adults and adolescents ages 10 years and older. The simplicity of once daily dosing, few metabolic side effects and efficacy against hepatitis B virus make TDF suitable for use in a large scale program. Unlike thymidine analoge nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs); tenofovir does not induce multi-NRTI resistance mutations, so more NRTI options are available for future second-line-regimens. Fixed-dose combinations of TDF with other ARVs as a single tablet regimen are now widely available for adults and adolescents, but none are available for young children. Current information on TDF including the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability in children and adolescents was reviewed. A dosing regimen according to body-weight-band has been established for pediatric use. Safety concerns of TDF mainly relate to its effects on renal function and bone mineral density. Regular monitoring of renal function in high-risk patients, including those on other nephrotoxic drugs, may be warranted to detect adverse renal effects. Long-term-data on renal and bone outcomes among HIV-infected children is needed. Lessons learned from clinical studies will help clinicians balance the risks and benefits of TDF and design appropriate antiretroviral regimens for children in different circumstances.

Risk of non-AIDS-defining events among HIV-infected patients not yet on antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVES

Certain non-AIDS-related diseases have been associated with immunodeficiency and HIV RNA levels in HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). We aimed to investigate these associations in patients not yet on cART, when potential antiretroviral-drug-related effects are absent and variation in RNA levels is greater.

METHODS

Associations between, on the one hand, time-updated CD4 counts and plasma HIV RNA and, on the other hand, a composite non-AIDS-related endpoint, including major cardiovascular diseases, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, and non-AIDS-related malignancies, were studied with multivariate Poisson regression models in 12 800 patients diagnosed with HIV infection from 1998 onwards while not yet treated with cART.

RESULTS

During 18 646 person-years of follow-up, 203 non-AIDS-related events occurred. Compared with a CD4 count ≥ 500 cells/μL, adjusted relative risks (RRs) for the composite endpoint were 4.71 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.98-7.45] for a CD4 count < 200 cells/μL, 2.06 (95% CI 1.38-3.06) for a CD4 count of 200-349 cells/μL, and 1.19 (95% CI 0.82-1.74) for a CD4 count of 350-499 cells/μL. There was no evidence for an independent association with HIV RNA. Other important covariates were age [RR 1.40 (95% CI 1.31-1.49) per 5 years older], hepatitis B virus coinfection [RR 5.66 (95% CI 3.87-8.28)] and hepatitis C virus coinfection [RR 9.26 (95% CI 6.04-14.2)].

CONCLUSIONS

In persons not yet receiving cART, a more severe degree of immunodeficiency rather than higher HIV RNA levels appears to be associated with an increased risk of our composite non-AIDS-related endpoint. Larger studies are needed to address these associations for individual non-AIDS-related events.

Hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection

Hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HBV and HIV) infection share transmission patterns and risk factors, which explains high prevalence of chronic HBV infection in HIV infected patients. The natural course of HBV disease is altered by the HIV infection with less chance to clear acute HBV infection, faster progression to cirrhosis and higher risk of liver-related death in HIV-HBV co-infected patients than in HBV mono-infected ones. HIV infected patients with chronic hepatitis B should be counseled for liver damage and surveillance of chronic hepatitis B should be performed to screen early hepatocellular carcinoma. Noninvasive tools are now available to evaluate liver fibrosis. Isolated hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) are a good predictive marker of occult HBV infection. Still the prevalence and significance of occult HBV infection is controversial, but its screening may be important in the management of antiretroviral therapy. Vaccination against HBV infection is recommended in non-immune HIV patients. The optimal treatment for almost all HIV-HBV co-infected patients should contain tenofovir plus lamivudine or emtricitabine and treatment should not be stopped to avoid HBV reactivation. Long term tenofovir therapy may lead to significant decline in hepatitis B surface Antigen. The emergence of resistant HBV strains may compromise the HBV therapy and vaccine therapy.

Loss of HBsAg and antiviral treatment: from basics to clinical significance

Accurate prediction of the sustained virological response (SVR) to antiviral therapy against chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is still a crucial problem needing profound investigation. In recent years, quantification of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), a reliable predictor of SVR and an ideal endpoint of treatment, has attracted increasing attention. Serum HBsAg titer may reflect the level of intrahepatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) in most patients, and vary with natural phases of chronic HBV infection, genotypes and variants, antiviral therapy, and other related factors. Serum HBsAg <200 IU/mL or yearly reduction ≥0.5 log10IU/mL may be the optimum cut-off values for prediction of the chance of spontaneous seroclearance of HBsAg. Serum HBsAg <1,000 IU/mL with HBV DNA <2,000 IU/mL may identify most of the inactive HBV carriers from active HBeAg(-) hepatitis. Interferon-based therapy can lead to more significant HBsAg decline than therapy based on nucleoside and/or nucleotide analogues. Different patterns or kinetics of HBsAg decline during therapy are related to different probabilities of SVR. A low HBsAg level, <3,000 IU/mL at baseline, or HBsAg level, <1,500 IU/mL at week 12, or a rapid on-treatment HBsAg decline of ≥0.5 log10IU/mL at week 12, may predict higher probability of SVR. However these cut-off values must be further validated for larger cohort of patients across genotypes worldwide. Incorporation of serum HBsAg level, HBeAg status, HBV DNA load, HBV genotypes, and other related factors might help establish new concept of more practical "response-guided treatment (RGT)" rules for antiviral therapy.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T-cell responses to recombinant HBV core protein in patients with normal liver function and co-infected with chronic HBV and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)

Background

Little is known about HBV-specific T-cell responses in chronic Hepatitis B patients (HBV) that are co-infected with Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), especially those with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.

Methods

Twenty-five patients with chronic HBV (11 hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-positive, 14 HBeAg-negative) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. A longitudinal study as also conducted in which follow-up was done at 3, 12, and 24 months, after acute HIV-1 infection, in 11 individuals who also had chronic HBV. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with recombinant HBV surface protein (S protein), core protein (C protein) or gag peptide. IFN-γ-secreting T cells were identified by ELISPOT assay.

Results

In the cross-sectional study, co-infected chronic HBV patients had lower C protein-specific T-cell responses compared with mono-infected individuals, though the difference was not significant. In co-infected, chronic HBV patients, the magnitude of C protein-specific T-cell responses was significantly greater in HBeAg-positive subjects compared to HBeAg-negative subjects (p = 0.011). C protein-specific T-cell responses were positively correlated with HBV viral load (r_s = 0.40, p = 0.046). However, gag-specific T-cell responses were negatively correlated with HIV viral load (r_s = −0.44, p = 0.026) and positively correlated with CD4⁺ count (r_s = 0.46, p = 0.021). The results were different in mono-infected individuals. PBMCs from co-infected HBeAg-positive patients secreted more specific-IFN-γ in cultured supernatants compared with PBMCs from co-infected HBeAg-negative patients (p = 0.019). In the longitudinal study, S protein- and C protein-specific T-cell responses were decreased as the length of follow-up increased (p = 0.034, for S protein; p = 0.105, for C protein). Additionally, the S protein- and C protein-specific T-cell responses were significantly higher in HBeAg-positive patients than in HBeAg-negative patients at 3 and 12 months after HIV-1 infection (all p < 0.05), but not at 24 months. A positive correlation (trend) was found between C protein-specific T-cell responses and HBV viral load at 3 and 12 months after HIV-1 infection.

Conclusions

HBV-specific T-cell responses to recombinant HBV core protein were reduced in chronic HBV patients co-infected with HIV-1. The reduced C protein-specific T cell responses were positively correlated with HBV viral load in co-infected, chronic HBV patients.

HIV/HBV coinfection: serological control and therapeutic strategies

OBJECTIVES

The evolution and prognosis of patients co-infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B (HBV) is not well know. This study describes the treatment and serological, virological and biochemical and elastographic responses of HIV and HBV-coinfected patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A descriptive, retrospective study of all the HIV/HBV-coinfected patients seen in a specialized HIV department between 1 January 2007 and 30 November 2008 was performed. Virological and serological determinations of HIV and HBV infections as well as CD4 lymphocytes and transaminases prior to antiretroviral treatment and at the time of analysis were obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 54 (5.4%) cases of HIV/HBV coinfection were identified. The median nadir and current CD4 were 179 and 437 cells/L, respectively. There was undetectable RNA-HIV in 70%. There were 52 patients (96.3%) who followed active drugs treatment against HBV. After treatment, 68.8% had HBeAg negative result, with 81.6% virologic response. The HBsAg became negative in 10.4%. ALT was normal in 75.5%. FibroScan(®) was performed in 30 (55.6%) patients, yielding a median of 7.0kPa.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained suggest a good serological, virological and biochemical control of HIV/HBV-coinfected patients with treatments recommended by clinical guidelines.

The role of co-infections in mother-to-child transmission of HIV

In HIV-infected women, co-infections that target the placenta, fetal membranes, genital tract, and breast tissue, as well as systemic maternal and infant infections, have been shown to increase the risk for mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT). Active co-infection stimulates the release of cytokines and inflammatory agents that enhance HIV replication locally or systemically and increase tissue permeability, which weakens natural defenses to MTCT. Many maternal or infant co-infections can affect MTCT of HIV, and particular ones, such as genital tract infection with herpes simplex virus, or systemic infections such as hepatitis B, can have substantial epidemiologic impact on MTCT. Screening and treatment for co-infections that can make infants susceptible to MTCT in utero, peripartum, or postpartum can help reduce the incidence of HIV infection among infants and improve the health of mothers and infants worldwide.

HIV and Hepatitis B coinfection among perinatally HIV-infected Thai adolescents

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection and HBV seropositivity in perinatally HIV-infected adolescents. A secondary objective was to describe the clinical characteristics of adolescents with chronic HBV/HIV coinfection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Multicenter cross-sectional study of perinatally HIV-infected adolescents aged 12-25 years. HBV surface antigen, surface antibody (anti-HBs) and core antibody (anti-HBc) were measured. Coinfection was defined as having persistently positive HBV surface antigen. Seroprotective antibody from immunization was defined as having anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL with negative anti-HBc. HBV DNA quantitation and rtM204V/I mutation analysis (lamivudine resistance-associated mutation) were performed in adolescents with chronic HBV infection.

RESULTS

From November 2010 to March 2011, 521 patients were enrolled. Mean (SD) of CD4 lymphocyte count was 685 (324) cells/μL. The prevalence of HBV/HIV coinfection was 3.3% (95% confidence interval: 1.9-5.2%). Protective antibody against HBV was found in 18% of population, and this was significantly higher among adolescents who received than those who did not receive HBV revaccination after receiving antiretroviral therapy (93% versus 6%, P < 0.01). Among adolescents with chronic HBV infection, 88% have received lamivudine; however, 69% have HBV DNA >10 copies/mL and 75% had the rtM204V/I mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of HBV coinfection in HIV-infected Thai adolescents was 3.3%. Most HIV-infected adolescents had no HBV protective antibody; therefore, revaccination with HBV vaccine is encouraged. The high prevalence of HBV-lamivudine resistance underscores the importance of HBV screening prior to antiretroviral therapy initiation to guide the selection of optimal regimen for coinfected children.

Impact of comorbidities on the severity of chronic hepatitis B at presentation

AIM: To evaluate the clinical relevance of each cofactor on clinical presentation of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS: Out of 1366 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive subjects consecutively observed in 79 Italian hospitals, 53 (4.3%) showed as the only cofactor hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection [hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HDV group], 130 (9.5%) hepatitis C virus (HCV) (group HBV/HCV), 6 (0.4%) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (group HBV/HIV), 138 (10.2%) alcohol abuse (group HBV/alcohol); 109 (8.0%) subjects had at least two cofactors and 924 were in the cofactor-free (CF) group.

RESULTS: Compared with patients in group CF those in group HBV/alcohol were older and more frequently had cirrhosis (P < 0.001), those in group HBV/HDV were younger (P < 0.001), more frequently resided in the south of the country and had cirrhosis (P <0.001), those in group HBV/HCV were older (P < 0.001) and more frequently had cirrhosis (P < 0.001). These cofactors were all independent predictors of liver cirrhosis in HBsAg positive patients. Multivariate analysis showed that an older age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% CI: 1.05-1.08], alcohol abuse with more than 8 drinks daily (OR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.81-4.62) and anti-HDV positivity (OR 3.48, 95% CI: 2.16-5.58) are all independently associated with liver cirrhosis. This association was found also for anti-HCV positivity in univariate analysis, but it was no longer associated (OR 1.23, 95% CI: 0.84-1.80) at multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION: Older age, HDV infection and alcohol abuse are the major determinants of severe liver disease in chronic HBV infection, while HCV replication plays a lesser role in the severity of hepatic damage.

HIV/HBV Co-Infections: Epidemiology, Natural History, and Treatment: A Review Article

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, one of the major health priorities, accounts approximately for 350 million chronic cases and a global total of 33 million people were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the world.Co-infection with HIV and the HBV presents a significant challenge to health care providers, with different prevalence rates in different parts of the world. It is important to screen all HIV infected individuals for HBV infection and reverse. Infection with HBV becomes more violent in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV/HBV co-infected individuals are at increased risk of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and of experiencing HAART toxicity. In this review, the latest statistics on epidemiology of HIV, HBV and their co-infection has been presented along with prominent characteristics of HBV. Transmission routes which are the common between HBV and HIV are described and the most important ones are described according to the regional and age features. Also, there is a series of actions being performed once HBV infections occur to prevent HIV or to diagnose if the HBV-infected individuals are also infected with HIV. As in treatment case, some of the frequent treatment methods including applying interferon and using nucleoside and nucleotide analogues have been discussed. Finally, we would explain the new recommendations for treating patients who were co-infected with HBV and HIV, including staging HBV and HIV treatment, based on the stage of each disease. It also outlines the optimal treatment options, whether the patient is treated for HBV first, HIV first, or HIV and HBV together.

Host factors that influence mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1: genetics, coinfections, behavior and nutrition

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is the most important mode of HIV-1 acquisition among infants and children and it can occur in utero, intrapartum and postnatally through breastfeeding. Great progress has been made in preventing MTCT through use of antiretroviral regimens during gestation, labor/delivery and breastfeeding. The mechanisms of MTCT, however, are multifactorial and remain incompletely understood. This review focuses on select host factors affecting MTCT, in particular genetic factors, coexisting infections, behavioral factors and nutrition. Whereas much emphasis has been placed on decreasing maternal HIV-1 viral load, an important determinant of MTCT, through use of antiretroviral agents, complementary focus on overall maternal health is often neglected. By addressing coinfections in mothers and infants, improving the mother's nutritional status and modifying risky behaviors and practices, not only is maternal and child health improved, but a direct benefit in reducing MTCT can be derived. The study of genetic variations in susceptibility to HIV-1 infection is rapidly evolving, and the future is likely to bring revolutionary changes in HIV-1 prevention by enhancing natural resistance to infection and by individually tailoring pharmacologic regimens.

Predictors of HBeAg status and hepatitis B viraemia in HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis B in the HAART era in Brazil

Background

HBV-HIV co-infection is associated with an increased liver-related morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the natural history of chronic hepatitis B in HIV-infected individuals under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) receiving at least one of the two drugs that also affect HBV (TDF and LAM). Information about HBeAg status and HBV viremia in HIV/HBV co-infected patients is scarce. The objective of this study was to search for clinical and virological variables associated with HBeAg status and HBV viremia in patients of an HIV/HBV co-infected cohort.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed, of HBsAg-positive HIV-infected patients in treatment between 1994 and 2007 in two AIDS outpatient clinics located in the São Paulo metropolitan area, Brazil. The baseline data were age, sex, CD4 T+ cell count, ALT level, HIV and HBV viral load, HBV genotype, and duration of antiretroviral use. The variables associated to HBeAg status and HBV viremia were assessed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 86 HBsAg patients were included in the study. Of these, 48 (56%) were using combination therapy that included lamivudine (LAM) and tenofovir (TDF), 31 (36%) were using LAM monotherapy, and 7 patients had no previous use of either one. Duration of use of TDF and LAM varied from 4 to 21 and 7 to 144 months, respectively. A total of 42 (48. 9%) patients were HBeAg positive and 44 (51. 1%) were HBeAg negative. The multivariate analysis revealed that the use of TDF for longer than 12 months was associated with undetectable HBV DNA viral load (serum HBV DNA level < 60 UI/ml) (p = 0. 047). HBeAg positivity was associated with HBV DNA > 60 UI/ml (p = 0. 001) and ALT levels above normality (p = 0. 038).

Conclusion

Prolonged use of TDF containing HAART is associated with undetectable HBV DNA viral load. HBeAg positivity is associated with HBV viremia and increased ALT levels.

Virologic Outcome of Using Tenofovir/Emtricitabine to Treat Hepatitis B in HIV-Coinfected Patients

Goal. To study the effect of combination antiviral therapy with tenofovir and emtricitabine or lamivudine with and without prior monotherapy with lamivudine. Study. We reviewed charts of 31 HIV-/HBV-coinfected patients. Twelve 3TC-naïve patients initially received tenofovir plus emtricitabine. Nineteen epivir experienced patients who had previously failed epivir were given tenofovir plus emtricitabine. Results. Baseline median HBV DNA was similar in the epivir-naïve (5.8×10⁷ copies/mL) and experienced group (7.3×10⁷ copies/mL, P = .65). The median time to complete suppression of HBV was 466 days in the naïve group and 877 days in the experienced (P = .001). After 12 months, 6/10 (60%) naïve patients and 3/14 (21%) experienced patients had HBV DNA below the detectionlimit (P = .067). After 24 months, 5/5 (100%) naïve patients and 4/13 (31%) experienced patients had an undetectable HBV DNA level (P = .015). Conclusions. The median time to suppression of HBV DNA was significantly shorter among treatment naïve patients. There was a significantly greater proportion of naïve patients with suppressed HBV DNA at 24 months. Our results support using initial dual therapy in those with HIV/HBV coinfection.

[Long-term therapy for chronic hepatitis B in HIV co-infected patients]

As human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) are acquired through the same routes of contamination, the prevalence of HBV serological markers found in the HIV-infected population is approximately 7%. Liver-related mortality and morbidity is higher in HIV/HBV co-infected patients than in HBV mono-infected patients. Both viruses must be considered before a treatment decision is made. According to the European consensus conference on the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C in HIV coinfected patients, treatment is based on whether there is an existing indication of anti- HIV therapy or not. In patients with no indication of anti-HIV therapy, drugs with dual anti-viral activity (lamivudine, entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) should not be used due to the risk of developing HIV-resistance. Interferon or adefovir in combination with telbivudine are recommended. In patients with an indication of anti-HIV therapy, a backbone of highly active anti-retroviral therapy should include tenofovir in combination with lamivudine or emtricitabine. The same regimen is recommended in patients who develop lamivudine resistance.

Occult HBV infection in untreated HIV-infected adults in Côte d'Ivoire

BACKGROUND

In countries with high rates of chronic HBV, the World Health Organization recommends screening all HIV-infected adults for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) before initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART), and starting HIV-HBV-coinfected patients on regimens containing lamivudine (3TC) or emtricitabine (FTC) plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Here, we estimated the prevalence of untreated HIV-infected adults with negative serum HBsAg and detectable plasma HBV DNA in Côte d'Ivoire.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional survey. We tested all untreated HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-infected adults with CD4(+) T-cell counts <500 cells/mm(3) for HBsAg, hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) and HBsAg antibodies (anti-HBs). We measured plasma HBV DNA in patients who tested positive for HBsAg and/or anti-HBc.

RESULTS

We included 495 adults, of whom 73% were women. Median CD4(+) T-cell count was 329 cells/mm(3) and median HIV RNA was 4.9 log(10) copies/ml. Overall, 63 (13%) patients had chronic hepatitis B (HBsAg-positive), 115 (23%) had never been exposed to HBV (HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-negative and anti-HBs-negative), 108 (22%) had signs of cured infection (anti-HBc-positive and anti-HBs-positive) and 209 (42%) had isolated anti-HBc (HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive and anti-HBs-negative). Of these, 51 (10%) had detectable HBV DNA. Median HBV DNA level was 5.2 log(10) copies/ml (interquartile range [IQR] 3.2-8.8) for patients with chronic hepatitis and 2.2 log(10) copies/ml (IQR 1.8-2.7) for those with occult HBV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Among ART-naive HIV-1-infected African adults, 13% were HBsAg-positive and 42% had isolated anti-HBc, including 10% who had occult HBV. The clinical implications of high occult HBV prevalence are unknown. Future studies should assess the benefits of routine use of 3TC or FTC plus TDF as first-line ART in African settings, where HBV DNA tests are unavailable.

The impact of human immunodeficiency virus on viral hepatitis

The combination of antiretroviral (ARV) therapies introduced at the end of the 1990s profoundly changed the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Liver diseases are one of the three primary causes of 'non-AIDS-related' death in people living with HIV for three reasons: the high prevalence of hepatotropic viral co-infections, the hepatotoxicity of ARV drugs and new emerging liver diseases, including nodular regenerative hyperplasia and hepatitis E virus infection. The impact of HIV infection on the natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HIV co-infection has markedly changed in the past few decades with the progress made in ARV treatment and the improved definition of therapeutic strategies for HCV or HBV. Initially, HIV had a negative impact on hepatotropic infections. Today, HIV does not appear to significantly modify the natural history of HCV and HBV infection. This is associated with fair immune restoration, viral suppression associated with analogues having dual activity against HBV and HIV and with the increasing efficacy of antiviral treatments against HCV. A significant decline is expected in the morbidity and mortality associated with chronic liver infection in co-infected patients. Nevertheless, today, there are three major issues: (i) improving preventive measures including vaccination and risk reduction; (ii) screening patients infected with HBV or HCV and evaluating the impact of chronic infection on the liver and finally; (iii) early screening of hepatocellular carcinoma whose occurrence is higher and that evolves more rapidly in co-infected than in mono-infected patients.

Management and treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in HIV positive and negative patients: the EPIB 2008 study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

To compare the management and the virological and serological efficacy of treatments for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in HIV positive and negative patients.

METHODS

Two hundred and forty-six HIV positive and 205 HIV negative consecutive patients with past or present CHB, seen in October 2008 in participating departments, were included in a multicenter study. All the data were retrospectively collected from the first visit to October 2008 through a standardized questionnaire.

RESULTS

Compared to HIV negative patients, HIV positive patients more often presented positive HBeAg (46.4% vs. 32.8%, p=0.01), HBV genotype A (54.8% vs. 17.1%, p<0.0001), co-infection with HCV (12.4% vs. 5.9%, p=0.0002) or HDV (12.6% vs. 2.9%, p=0.04). HIV positive patients were more often on HBV therapy (92.7% vs. 57.1%, p<0.0001), leading to undetectable serum HBV DNA levels (71.0% vs. 44.1%, p<0.0001). In HIV positive patients, multivariate analysis showed that older age, lower initial HBV DNA levels, and longer time on HBV therapy significantly correlated with undetectable HBV DNA. No difference in efficacy was observed between tenofovir used alone or in combination. HBsAg (but not HBe) loss was more often observed in HIV positive patients, sometimes followed by HBsAg re-appearance after withdrawal of HBV treatment. Excluding the 37 HBV-HCV-co-infected patients, the last clinical presentation and liver fibrosis scores were similar in HIV positive and negative patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment of CHB and the efficacy of HBV therapy have improved in HIV positive patients. HIV infection did not have a negative impact on the likelihood of HBV therapeutic success.

Liver transplantation in HIV-positive patients

Death from end-stage liver disease (ESLD) because of chronic hepatitis B and C has become an increasing problem in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in the last years. This is mainly because of the dramatic decrease of HIV-related morbidity and mortality since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Although the data on the outcome of liver transplantation in HIV-infected recipients with ESLD is limited, overall results seem comparable to non-HIV-infected recipients. Therefore, liver transplant centres around the world are increasingly accepting HIV-infected individuals as organ recipients. Post-transplantation control of HIV replication is achieved by continuing HAART. As in non-HIV-infected patients, hepatitis B virus recurrence is efficiently prevented by hepatitis B immunoglobulin and antiviral therapy. Re-infection of the allograft with hepatitis C virus, however, remains an important problem, and progress to allograft cirrhosis may even be more rapid than in HIV-negative patients. Interactions in drug metabolism between the HAART components and the immunosuppressive drugs are difficult to predict and require close monitoring of drug levels and dose adjustments. The complexity in this setting makes close cooperation between transplant surgeons, hepatologists, HIV-clinicians and pharmacologists mandatory. As experience on liver transplantation in HIV-infected individuals is still limited, to date results from large prospective trials addressing key issues are needed.

Prevalence and Immunization Status of Hepatitis B Virus in the HIV Cohort in Fife, Scotland

Background

Routes of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV)/HIV infections are similar and there is a significant rate of co-infection in patients. A study was recently carried out in NHS Fife, Scotland from February 2007 - February 2008 to estimate the prevalence of HBV/HIV co-infection, occult HBV infection and immunisation status against HBV in a cohort of patients with HIV attending the departments of infectious diseases and genitourinary medicine.

Methods

Case notes were reviewed retrospectively (n = 70). Details on patient demographics, risk category, nadir/current CD4 count, HIV viral load and vaccination history were analysed. HBV markers (HBsAg/anti-HBs/anti-HBc/HBV DNA) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were tested prospectively if these tests had not been carried out in the previous 12 months.

Results and Conclusion

Prevalence of HBV/HIV co-infection was 5.6% of which 2.8% of patients had occult infection and 22.9% had evidence of previous exposure. Although HBV is preventable by vaccination, only 24.2% of patients had been vaccinated against it. Improvements could therefore be made in the field of prevention with vaccination and monitoring the immune response in this cohort.

Keywords

Prevalence; Immunization status; Hepatitis B Virus; HIV

The effect of human immunodeficiency virus on hepatitis B virus serologic status in co-infected adults

BACKGROUND

Factors associated with serologic hepatitis B virus (HBV) outcomes in HIV-infected individuals remain incompletely understood, yet such knowledge may lead to improvements in the prevention and treatment of chronic HBV infection.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

HBV-HIV co-infected cohort participants were retrospectively analyzed. HBV serologic outcomes were classified as chronic, resolved, and isolated-HBcAb. Chronic HBV (CHBV) was defined as the presence of HBsAg on two or more occasions at least six months apart. Risk factors for HBV serologic outcome were assessed using logistic regression. Of 2037 participants with HBV infection, 281 (14%) had CHBV. Overall the proportions of HBV infections classified as CHBV were 11%, 16%, and 19% for CD4 cell count strata of > or =500, 200-499, and <200, respectively (p<0.0001). Risk of CHBV was increased for those with HBV infection occurring after HIV diagnosis (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.78-3.85). This included the subset with CD4 count > or =500 cells/microL where 21% of those with HBV after HIV diagnosis had CHBV compared with 9% for all other cases of HBV infection in this stratum (p = 0.0004). Prior receipt of HAART was associated with improved HBV serologic outcome overall (p = 0.012), and specifically among those with HBV after HIV (p = 0.002). In those with HBV after HIV, HAART was associated with reduced risk of CHBV overall (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.79); including reduced risk in the subsets with CD4 > or =350 cells/microL (p<0.001) and CD4 > or =500 cells/microL (p = 0.01) where no cases of CHBV were seen in those with a recent history of HAART use.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical indicators of immunologic status in HIV-infected individuals, such as CD4 cell count, are associated with HBV serologic outcome. These data suggest that immunologic preservation through the increased use of HAART to improve functional anti-HBV immunity, whether by improved access to care or earlier initiation of therapy, would likely improve HBV infection outcomes in HIV-infected individuals.

Future directions in the treatment of HIV-HBV coinfection

Liver disease is a major cause of mortality in individuals with HIV-HBV coinfection. The pathogenesis of liver disease in this setting is unknown, but is likely to involve drug toxicity, infection of hepatic cells with both HIV and HBV, and an altered immune response to HBV. The availability of therapeutic agents that target both HIV and HBV replication enable dual viral suppression, and assessment of chronic hepatitis B is important prior to commencement of antiretroviral therapy. Greater importance is now placed on HBV DNA levels and staging of liver fibrosis, either by liver biopsy or noninvasive measurement, such as transient elastography, since significant liver fibrosis may exist in the presence of normal liver function tests. Earlier treatment of both HIV and HBV is now generally advocated and treatment is usually lifelong.

Impaired quality of the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T-cell response in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-HBV coinfection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific T cells play a key role both in the control of HBV replication and in the pathogenesis of liver disease. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coinfection and the presence or absence of HBV e (precore) antigen (HBeAg) significantly alter the natural history of chronic HBV infection. We examined the HBV-specific T-cell responses in treatment-naïve HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative HIV-1-HBV-coinfected (n = 24) and HBV-monoinfected (n = 39) Asian patients. Peripheral blood was stimulated with an overlapping peptide library for the whole HBV genome, and tumor necrosis factor alpha and gamma interferon cytokine expression in CD8+ T cells was measured by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry. There was no difference in the overall magnitude of the HBV-specific T-cell responses, but the quality of the response was significantly impaired in HIV-1-HBV-coinfected patients compared with monoinfected patients. In coinfected patients, HBV-specific T cells rarely produced more than one cytokine and responded to fewer HBV proteins than in monoinfected patients. Overall, the frequency and quality of the HBV-specific T-cell responses increased with a higher CD4+ T-cell count (P = 0.018 and 0.032, respectively). There was no relationship between circulating HBV-specific T cells and liver damage as measured by activity and fibrosis scores, and the HBV-specific T-cell responses were not significantly different in patients with either HBeAg-positive or HBeAg-negative disease. The quality of the HBV-specific T-cell response is impaired in the setting of HIV-1-HBV coinfection and is related to the CD4+ T-cell count.

Long-term outcome of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate use against hepatitis B in an HIV-coinfected cohort

OBJECTIVES

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is active against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV. However, the long-term efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is not well known and the appearance of resistance is a major concern. We have studied the efficacy of TDF against HBV in patients treated at an Infectious Diseases Unit.

METHODS

We carried out a retrospective observational study of the efficacy of TDF against HBV replication in a cohort of 52 HIV-coinfected patients who received TDF for at least 6 months.

RESULTS

The median duration of follow-up of TDF treatment was 34 months. Forty-one patients (79%) were positive for HBV envelope antigen (HBeAg) and 35 had received previous lamivudine monotherapy for a median duration of 32 months. Virological breakthrough was observed in nine cases (17%). At the end of the follow-up period, HBV DNA levels were <1000 copies/mL in 42 patients (81%) and <200 copies/mL in 31 patients (60%). There were no significant differences between the lamivudine-naïve and lamivudine-experienced groups. In the lamivudine-experienced group, the duration of previous lamivudine monotherapy was associated with failure to achieve HBV DNA levels <200 copies/mL (P=0.036). Adding lamivudine or emtricitabine to TDF did not improve virological suppression. In 39 patients who achieved <200 HBV DNA copies/mL during TDF treatment, virological breakthrough was seen only in two patients (5%) after a median follow-up duration of 39.7 months.

CONCLUSIONS

TDF was able to control HBV replication in most HIV-coinfected patients after a median follow-up duration of 34 months, regardless of previous lamivudine treatment. However, a sizeable proportion of patients developed virological breakthrough.

The pathogenesis of liver disease in the setting of HIV–hepatitis B virus coinfection

There are many potential reasons for increased liver-related mortality in HIV–hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection compared with either infection alone. HIV infects multiple cells in the liver and might potentially alter the life cycle of HBV, although evidence to date is limited. Unique mutations in HBV have been defined in HIV–HBV-coinfected individuals and might directly alter pathogenesis. In addition, an impaired HBV- specific T-cell immune response is likely to be important. The roles of microbial translocation, immune activation and increased hepatic stellate cell activation will be important areas for future study.