Management of HIV and hepatitis virus coinfection

HBV/HIV Coinfection: Impact on the Development and Clinical Treatment of Liver Diseases

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a common contributor to chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Approximately 10% of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) also have chronic HBV co-infection, owing to shared transmission routes. HIV/HBV coinfection accelerates the progression of chronic HBV to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, or hepatocellular carcinoma compared to chronic HBV mono-infection. HBV/HIV coinfection alters the natural history of hepatitis B and renders the antiviral treatment more complex. In this report, we conducted a critical review on the epidemiology, natural history, and pathogenesis of liver diseases related to HBV/HIV coinfection. We summarized the novel therapeutic options for these coinfected patients.

Investigational drugs with dual activity against HBV and HIV (Review)

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are global public health problems that pose a significant health burden. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection is common, as these viruses have similar transmission routes, such as blood transmission, sexual transmission and mother-to-child transmission. Coinfection frequently leads to accelerated disease progression. For individuals coinfected with HIV/HBV, combination antiretroviral therapy containing dual anti-HBV drugs is recommended. Certain studies have also indicated the benefits of antiretroviral drugs with anti-HBV activity in patients with coinfection. A total of four Food and Drug Administration-approved HIV drugs also have anti-HBV activity; namely, emtricitabine, lamivudine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and tenofovir alafenamide, which are all nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors. However, various issues, including drug resistance and side effects, limit their application. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more drugs with dual activity against HBV and HIV. The present review outlines the mechanisms, safety and efficacy of certain drugs that have been investigated for this purpose.

Prevalence of HCV and/or HBV coinfection in Iranian HIV-infected patients

Aim: HIV-infected patients risk coinfection with HBV and HCV. This study aimed to investigate molecular epidemiology of HBV and HCV coinfection in Iranian HIV-infected individuals. Materials & methods: In this cross-sectional study, serological markers of HBV and HCV infection (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], hepatitis B e-antigen [HBeAg], hepatitis B e-antibody [HBeAb] and hepatitis B core antibody [HBcAb]) and anti-HCV antibodies [anti-HCV Abs] were tested in 198 Iranian HIV-infected patients. From plasma, HBV viral load was determined using COBAS TaqMan 48, and HCV-RNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-nested PCR. Results: 85 out of 198 (42.9%) patients were anti-HCV Ab positive and 42/198 (21.2%) had detectable HCV-RNA. Eight (4.0%) had traceable HBV-DNA. All these patients were infected by HBV genotype D. 55 (27.8%) were HBcAb positive. Nine (4.4%) were HBsAg and anti-HCV Ab positive. Conclusion: None were HIV-RNA/HCV-RNA/HBV-DNA positive, 21.2% were HIV-RNA/HCV-RNA positive and 4.0% were HIV-RNA/HBV-DNA positive. Therefore, studies on diagnosing these infections in HIV-infected individuals may be valuable.

De Novo Design of α-Helical Lipopeptides Targeting Viral Fusion Proteins: A Promising Strategy for Relatively Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Drug Discovery

Class I enveloped viruses share similarities in their apparent use of a hexameric coiled-coil assembly to drive the merging of virus and host cell membranes. Inhibition of coiled coil-mediated interactions using bioactive peptides that replicate an α-helical chain from the viral fusion machinery has significant antiviral potential. Here, we present the construction of a series of lipopeptides composed of a de novo heptad repeat sequence-based α-helical peptide plus a hydrocarbon tail. Promisingly, the constructs adopted stable α-helical conformations and exhibited relatively broad-spectrum antiviral activities against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and influenza A viruses (IAVs). Together, these findings reveal a new strategy for relatively broad-spectrum antiviral drug discovery by relying on the tunability of the α-helical coiled-coil domains present in all class I fusion proteins and the amphiphilic nature of the individual helices from this multihelix motif.

Unconventional RNA-binding proteins step into the virus-host battlefront

The crucial participation of cellular RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) in virtually all steps of virus infection has been known for decades. However, most of the studies characterizing this phenomenon have focused on well‐established RBPs harboring classical RNA‐binding domains (RBDs). Recent proteome‐wide approaches have greatly expanded the census of RBPs, discovering hundreds of proteins that interact with RNA through unconventional RBDs. These domains include protein–protein interaction platforms, enzymatic cores, and intrinsically disordered regions. Here, we compared the experimentally determined census of RBPs to gene ontology terms and literature, finding that 472 proteins have previous links with viruses. We discuss what these proteins are and what their roles in infection might be. We also review some of the pioneering examples of unorthodox RBPs whose RNA‐binding activity has been shown to be critical for virus infection. Finally, we highlight the potential of these proteins for host‐based therapies against viruses.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA–Protein Complexes

HBV and HIV co-infection: Prevalence and clinical outcomes in tertiary care hospital Malaysia

According to WHO, Malaysia has been classified as a concentrated epidemic country due to progression of HIV infection in the population of injecting drug users. The main objectives of current study are to determine the prevalence of HBV among HIV-positive individuals in a tertiary care hospital of Malaysia and to assess the predictors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients. A retrospective, cross-sectional study is conducted at Hospital Palau Pinang, Malaysia. The collection of socio-demographic data as well as clinical data is done with the help of data collection form. Data were analyzed after putting the collected values of required data by using statistical software SPSS version 20.0 and P > 0.05 is considered as significant. Results show that the overall prevalence of HBV was 86 (13%) including 495 (74.5%) males and 169 (25.5%) females among a total of 664 HIV-infected patients. It was observed that there is a high prevalence of HIV-HBV co-infection in males 76 (11.4%) as compared to females 10 (1.5%) (P = 0.002). The median age of the study population was 39 years. The statistical significant risk factors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients were observed in the variables of gender, age groups, and injecting drug users. The findings of the present study shows that the prevalence of HBV infection among HIV-positive patients was 13% and the risk factors involved in the outcomes of HIV-HBV co-infected patients were gender, age, and intravenous drug users.

Management of chronic hepatitis B in patients from special populations

Here we review the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in four special categories of patients: CHB in pregnancy, in patients on immunosuppressive treatments, in patients undergoing liver transplantation, and in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Evaluation and treatment of hepatitis C in patients with human immunodeficiency virus

OBJECTIVES

The rate of treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis C virus (HIV-HCV) co-infected patients remains historically low. We undertook a retrospective study to review our treatment rate and factors that have negatively influenced this rate. In those treated, we reviewed outcomes and compared results with prior studies.

METHODS

A total of 233 patients infected with HIV and HCV were followed for 7 years in the infectious diseases (ID) clinic of East Carolina University. Proper follow-up evaluation was determined based on the presence of HCV polymerase chain reaction viral load and genotype testing. The number of patients treated, response to treatment, and reason for no treatment were determined by chart review.

RESULTS

Of 233 patients with positive HCV serology, 48 were excluded due to undetectable HCV viral load. Of the remaining 185 patients, 142 (77%) were evaluated by testing for HCV viral load and genotype, but only 112 of those who were followed up in the clinic regularly were considered eligible for therapy. Fourteen of 112 (12.5%) of patients underwent treatment and only 1 in 14 (7%) attained sustained virological response (SVR). Of the patients tested, 96% had HCV genotype 1, and 81% were African American.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of our HIV-HCV co-infected patients received a proper HCV evaluation, but only 12.5% were offered therapy. Of those treated, only one patient achieved SVR. The higher proportion of genotype 1 and African American patient population are considered the main reasons for the low SVR. Low SVR rate, high rate of adverse effects, and the unique demography of our patient population have been the main reasons for the lower treatment rate.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C infection among the HIV-positive population in Abuja, Nigeria

BACKGROUND

In Nigeria, it is estimated that 3.6% of the population were living with Human immunodeficiency virus in 2009, and the country had the world's second highest number of HIV/AIDS related deaths after South Africa. Viral hepatitis is also a major public health concern as hepatitis B virus (HBV) afflicts an estimated 350 million people, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 150 million people worldwide.

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a retrospective study of HBV and HCV seroprevalence among Nigerian population coming to our clinic in Abuja and receiving HIV/AIDS treatment.

METHODS

In this cohort study, we collected medical data from 443 HIV-positive patients between September 2010 and May 2011. Standard enzyme immunoassays were used to determine the serological prevalence of hepatitis B (HBsAg) and C (anti-HCV antibody) among HIV-positive individuals.

RESULTS

Among the HIV/AIDS positive individuals, we found that 35 patients were infected with hepatitis B virus (7.9%), 10 with hepatitis C virus (2.3%) and 3 with both hepatitis B and C viruses (0.7%). The overall hepatitis-HIV prevalence is 10.8%. The majority of the population infected was under 39 years of age (55%) and the same proportion of males and females was observed in all the studied categories (HIV, HIV + hepatitis B and/or C). Remarkably, an overall lower CD4 count was seen in the co-infected population (205 cells/µl versus 243 cells/µl), with the lowest seen for the triply infected individuals (97 cells/µl).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings underscore the importance of screening for hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses in the HIV-infected population in developing countries, and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemics are still growing.

Chronic hepatitis B in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus in Japan: a retrospective multicenter analysis

A nationwide survey in Japan revealed that about 6 % of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients are coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). To further analyze the features of liver disease in HIV/HBV-coinfected patients, we analyzed 252 patients from six hospitals in the HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) Network of Japan. The mean age was 39.5 years, and the proportion of male patients was very high (243 of 252; 96 %). The main transmission route was male homosexual contact (186 of 252; 74 %), followed by heterosexual contact. The HBV genotype was determined in 77 patients. Among them, genotype A HBV was the most frequent (58 of 77; 75 %) and was detected almost exclusively in homosexual patients. Acute hepatitis B was documented in 21 patients (8 %). Three of the 252 HIV/HBV-coinfected patients developed advanced liver disease with the complication of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or hepatocellular carcinoma. A comparison between patients not treated and those treated with antiretroviral drugs including anti-HBV drugs revealed that the baseline liver function was worse in treated patients. However, the serum albumin levels and platelet counts in both groups increased after treatment and were similar. Liver disease-associated death was not observed. Here, we characterize the clinical features of liver disease in HIV/HBV-coinfected patients in Japan for the first time. The findings suggest that antiretroviral therapy with anti-HBV drugs may retard the progression of a liver disease and prevent liver disease-associated death in such patients.

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.