Drug-induced hepatotoxicity among TB/HIV co-infected patients in a referral hospital, Ethiopia

Predictors of severe hepatotoxicity among retroviral infected adults on HAART regimen in Ilubabor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Nearly half of the deaths among hospitalized human immuno deficiency virus-infected patients in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era have been attributed to liver disease. This may range from an asymptomatic mild increase of liver enzymes to cirrhosis and liver failure. Different works of literature elucidated both retroviral infection and the adverse effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy as a cause of hepatotoxicity. Individual adaptations to medications and environmental exposures, shaped by cultural norms and genetic predispositions, could potentially modulate the risk and progression of liver disease in this population. Therefore, this study aims to assess the predictors of severe hepatotoxicity in retroviral-infected adults receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens within the Ilubabor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult retroviral-infected patients in five selected anti-retro virus therapy clinics from May1 to July 30/2022. A systematic sampling technique was used to select 457 study participants and Binary logistic regression statistical data analysis was used, P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The prevalence of severe hepatotoxicity was 21.44% in the study population. CD+4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.04-5.22, P = 0.01), human immunodeficiency virus co-infection with tuberculosis (AOR = 2.82, 95% CI 1.01-8.29, P = 0.03) and human immuno deficiency virus co-infection with hepatitis-B/hepatitis C virus (AOR = 5.02, 95% CI 1.82-16.41) were predictors of severe hepatotoxicity. The magnitude of severe hepatotoxicity was high among adult retroviral-infected patients on highly active anti-retroviral drug regimens. Co-infection of human immuno deficiency virus with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus, tuberculosis and CD4+T-cell count below 200 cells/mm3 were predictors of severe hepatotoxicity. Therefore, HIV patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy require close attention and regular monitoring of their liver function.

Prevalence of hepatotoxicity among HIV-infected patients in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Globally, the human immunodeficiency virus has been recognized as a major public health concern. The direct toxicity of antiretroviral medicines or their active metabolites causes liver cell destruction by different mechanisms, inducing immune-mediated inflammation, oxidative stress, and other mechanisms. On the other hand, the virus itself also produces hepatotoxicity. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of hepatotoxicity among HIV-infected patients in Ethiopia.

Methods

PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ResearchGate databases were used to find relevant articles. As well, various professional associations were searched to retrieve grey literature. The Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used to assess the quality of recruited studies. The data were extracted using Microsoft Excel, and the meta-analysis was carried out using STATA 14 software. I2 and Cochran’s Q test were employed to assess the presence of heterogeneity between studies. A random effect model was used. The funnel plot and Egger’s statistics were used to assess publication bias. Moreover, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also done.

Results

The pooled prevalence of hepatotoxicity among HIV patients in Ethiopia was 25.45% (95% CI = 20.06–30.84%). There was high heterogeneity, with an I2 value of 93.7%. Subgroup analysis by HAART status showed a higher pooled prevalence of hepatotoxicity among HIV patients taking HAART (23.63%) than among HAART naive patients (7.29%). In subgroup analysis, the pooled prevalence of hepatotoxicity among HIV/Tb co-infected and HIV mono-infected patients was 26.3% and 17.94%, respectively.

Conclusion

The current systematic review and meta-analysis showed a high prevalence of hepatotoxicity among HIV-infected patients. Therefore, regular monitoring of hepatotoxicity among HIV-infected patients is required in order to avoid liver damage and other complications.

Systematic review registration PROSPERO (2022:CRD42022334704)

Determinants of Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity Among Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Taking a High Dose of Rifapentine Plus Isoniazid Drugs at the All Africa Leprosy Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Purpose

The drugs for the treatment of latent Tuberculosis are potentially hepatotoxic and can lead to drug-induced hepatotoxicity. The current study aimed at identifying the determinants of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity among patients living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus taking Isoniazid and rifapentine at All Africa Leprosy Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

An unmatched case-control study was conducted from March, 21, to April 21, 2020, at All Africa Leprosy Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center. A total of 65 cases and 130 controls were interviewed. Data were collected using a data extraction tool from clinical reporting forms, follow-up charts, and patients' logbooks. Binary and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to check the association between independent and dependent variables. Adjusted odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated to assess the strength of association. P-values <0.05 were used to declare statistical significance.

Results

The prevalence of anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity was 8%. Body mass index <18.5 Kg/m2 (AOR = 5.8 [95% CI: 2.2-8.9]), low CD4 count (AOR = 4.9 [95% CI: 1.6-15.8]), and the presence of comorbid illnesses (AOR = 3.9 [95% CI: 1.7-8.9]) were identified as independent predictors of drugs-induced hepatotoxicity among Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive patients taking Isoniazid and rifapentine.

Conclusion

The prevalence of anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity was higher compared to standard references. BMI<18 kg/m2, low CD4 count, and comorbid illness were positively associated with anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity among patients with HIV.