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Tibuakuu M, Jjingo C, Kirk GD, Thomas DL, Gray R, Ssempijja V, Nalugoda F, Serwadda D, Ocama P, Opio CK, Kleiner DE, Quinn TC, Reynolds SJ. Elevated liver stiffness without histological evidence of liver fibrosis in rural Ugandans. J Viral Hepat 2020; 27:1022-1031. [PMID: 32388879 PMCID: PMC8919060 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis may be assessed noninvasively with transient electrography (TE). Data on the performance of TE for detecting liver fibrosis in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of TE by performing liver biopsies on persons with liver fibrosis indicated by TE. We enrolled HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants with TE scores consistent with at least minimal disease (liver stiffness measurement [LSM]≥7.1 kPa). Biopsies were performed and staged using the Ishak scoring system. A concordant result was defined using accepted thresholds for significant fibrosis by TE (LSM ≥ 9.3 kPa) and liver biopsy (Ishak score ≥ 2). We used modified Poisson regression methods to quantify the univariate and adjusted prevalence risk ratios (PRR) of the association between covariates and the concordance status of TE and liver biopsy in defining the presence of liver fibrosis. Of 131 participants with valid liver biopsy and TE data, only 5 participants (3.8%) had Ishak score ≥ 2 of whom 4 had LSM ≥ 9.3 kPa (sensitivity = 80%); of the 126 (96.2%) with Ishak score < 2, 76 had LSM < 9.3 kPa (specificity = 61%). In multivariable analysis, discordance was associated with female gender (adjPRR = 1.80, 95%CI 1.1-2.9; P = .019), herbal medicine use (adjPRR 1.64, 95% CI = 1.0-2.5; P = .022), exposure to lake or river water (adjPRR 2.05, 95% CI = 1.1-3.7; P = .016), and current smoking (adjPRR 1.72, 95%CI 1.0-2.9; P = .045). These data suggest that TE among rural Ugandans has low specificity for detection of histologically confirmed liver fibrosis. Caution should be exercised when using this tool to confirm significant liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Tibuakuu
- Department of Medicine, St. Luke’s Hospital, Chesterfield, Missouri
| | - Caroline Jjingo
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Gregory Dale Kirk
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David Lee Thomas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ronald Gray
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Rakai Health Sciences Program, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Victor Ssempijja
- Clinical Research Directorate/Clinical Monitoring Research Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland
| | | | - David Serwadda
- Rakai Health Sciences Program, Entebbe, Uganda
- School of Public Health, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ponsiano Ocama
- School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Thomas Charles Quinn
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Steven James Reynolds
- Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Rakai Health Sciences Program, Entebbe, Uganda
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Grant JL, Agaba P, Ugoagwu P, Muazu A, Okpokwu J, Akpa S, Machenry S, Imade G, Agbaji O, Thio CL, Murphy R, Hawkins C. Changes in liver stiffness after ART initiation in HIV-infected Nigerian adults with and without chronic HBV. J Antimicrob Chemother 2019; 74:2003-2008. [PMID: 31225612 PMCID: PMC6587419 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are limited data from sub-Saharan Africa on long-term liver fibrosis changes in HIV- and HIV/HBV-infected individuals. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of ART on liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using transient elastography (TE) in HIV- and HIV/HBV-infected Nigerian adults and examine factors associated with fibrosis regression. METHODS We included ART-naive HIV- and HIV/HBV-infected adults (≥18 years) enrolled in a prospective, longitudinal study of liver disease between July 2011 and February 2015 at Jos University Teaching Hospital HIV Care and Treatment Centre in Nigeria. Patients initiated ART and had TE at baseline and follow-up (year 3). LSM cut-offs for Metavir scores were 5.9, 7.6 and 9.4 kPa for moderate fibrosis, advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, respectively. We used multivariable regression to identify factors associated with TE (≥1 Metavir) stage decline. RESULTS A total of 106 HIV- and 71 HIV/HBV-infected patients [70.5% female and median age = 34 years (IQR = 29-42 years)] were studied. Baseline LSM and median LSM decline were significantly higher in HIV/HBV- versus HIV-infected patients; 41% of HIV/HBV-infected patients regressed ≥1 Metavir stage versus 17% of HIV-infected patients (P < 0.01); LSM scores at year 3 were not significantly different between HIV- and HIV/HBV-infected patients. In multivariable analyses, patients with baseline CD4+ T cells ≥200 (versus <200) cells/mm3 and lower BMIs were more likely to experience LSM stage decline. CONCLUSIONS HBV coinfection does not attenuate LSM declines in HIV-infected patients after ART initiation despite being a risk factor for more advanced liver disease prior to therapy. The inverse association between BMI and TE stage decline needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Grant
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Patricia Agaba
- HIV Care and Treatment Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Placid Ugoagwu
- HIV Care and Treatment Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Auwal Muazu
- HIV Care and Treatment Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Jonathan Okpokwu
- HIV Care and Treatment Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Samuel Akpa
- HIV Care and Treatment Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Stephen Machenry
- HIV Care and Treatment Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Godwin Imade
- HIV Care and Treatment Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Oche Agbaji
- HIV Care and Treatment Centre, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
- Department of Medicine, University of Jos and Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
| | - Chloe L Thio
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert Murphy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Claudia Hawkins
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Nherera B, Mhandire K, Nyazika TK, Makura A, Musarurwa C, Mapondera PT, Stray-Pedersen B, Matarira HT. Comparison of non-invasive methods of assessing liver fibrosis in combination ART-experienced Zimbabweans. South Afr J HIV Med 2019. [DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v20i1.844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of morbidity and mortality associated with liver disease among HIV-infected individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) is high. Early screening of liver disease is essential, as it provides an opportunity for successful treatment. Hence, there is a need for reliable, inexpensive and non-invasive early markers of hepatic damage.Objectives: Non-invasive algorithms are available for assessing the extent of liver fibrosis as markers of ongoing inflammatory damage. This study compared the use of the FibroTest, Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, APRI test and AST:ALT ratio in assessing liver fibrosis in combination ART-experienced individuals.Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional study, 79 participants between the ages of 8 and 62 years were recruited. The performance of each fibrosis algorithm was determined using established cut-off scores for clinically significant liver fibrosis.Results: The prevalence of liver fibrosis as determined by the FibroTest, FIB-4 index, APRI test and AST: ALT ratio were 19.0%, 21.5%, 12.7% and 79.7%, respectively. For individual biomarkers, A-2M concentration (p < 0.001) and AST activity (p = 0.003) remained significantly elevated in participants with fibrosis than those without as defined by FibroTest and APRI test, respectively, after adjustments for multiple comparisons.Conclusion: Our data demonstrate a high prevalence of asymptomatic liver fibrosis among combination ART-experienced individuals in Zimbabwe, and this warrants adequate monitoring of liver fibrosis in individuals on ART. Discordance of fibrosis results among the algorithms and individual biomarkers and calls for further work in identifying optimal biomarkers for detection of asymptomatic fibrosis.Keywords: Liver fibrosis; Non-invasive methods; Biomarkers; Combination anti-retroviral therapy; Zimbabwe.
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Liver Fibrosis and Hepatitis B Coinfection among ART Naïve HIV-Infected Patients at a Tertiary Level Hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Trop Med 2017; 2017:5629130. [PMID: 28828009 PMCID: PMC5554579 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5629130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liver fibrosis which is a common complication of chronic hepatitis B infection is rarely diagnosed in low-resource countries due to limited capacity to perform biopsy studies. Data on the utilization of noninvasive techniques which are feasible for diagnosis of liver fibrosis in these settings among HIV-infected patients is scarce. The objective of this study was to establish the magnitude of liver fibrosis by using both aspartate-aminotransferase-to-platelets ratio and fibrosis-4 scores with associated hepatitis B coinfection among antiretroviral therapy naïve HIV-infected patients. Methods We reviewed data of 743 adult patients attending HIV clinic with available hepatitis B surface antigen test results. Baseline clinical information was recorded and aspartate-aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio and fibrosis-4 scores were calculated. The cut-off values of 1.5 and 3.25 were used for diagnosis of significant fibrosis by aspartate-aminotransferase-to-platelets ratio and fibrosis-4 scores, respectively. Results The prevalence of liver fibrosis was 3.5% when aspartate-aminotransferase-to-platelet score was used and 4.6% with fibrosis-4 score and they were both significantly higher among patients with hepatitis B coinfection. Younger patients with HIV advanced disease and elevated liver transaminases had increased risk of having hepatitis B coinfection. Conclusion A remarkable number of HIV-infected patients present with liver fibrosis, predominantly those with hepatitis B infection.
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Ndow G, Gore ML, Shimakawa Y, Suso P, Jatta A, Tamba S, Sow A, Touré-Kane C, Sadiq F, Sabally S, Njie R, Thursz MR, Lemoine M. Hepatitis B testing and treatment in HIV patients in The Gambia-Compliance with international guidelines and clinical outcomes. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179025. [PMID: 28614401 PMCID: PMC5470698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compliance with WHO guidelines on HBV screening and treatment in HIV-coinfected patients is often challenging in resource limited countries and has been poorly assessed in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS Between 2015 and 2016, we assessed physician's compliance with WHO guidelines on HIV-HBV coinfection in the largest HIV clinic in The Gambia, and the hepatic outcomes in HIV-HBV coinfected patients as compared to randomly selected HIV-monoinfected controls. RESULTS 870 HIV-infected patients regularly seen in this clinic agreed to participate in our study. Only 187 (21.5%, 95% CI 18.8-24.3) had previously been screened for HBsAg, 23 (12.3%, 95% CI 8.0-17.9) were positive of whom none had liver assessment and only 6 (26.1%) had received Tenofovir. Our HBV testing intervention was accepted by all participants and found 94/870 (10.8%, 95% CI 8.8-13.1) positive, 78 of whom underwent full liver assessment along with 40 HBsAg-negative controls. At the time of liver assessment, 61/78 (78.2%) HIV-HBV coinfected patients received ART with 7 (11.5%) on Tenofovir and 54 (88.5%) on Lamivudine alone. HIV-HBV coinfected patients had higher APRI score compared to controls (0.58 vs 0.42, p = 0.002). HBV DNA was detectable in 52/53 (98.1%) coinfected patients with 14/53 (26.4%) having HBV DNA >20,000 IU/L. 10/12 (83.3%) had at least one detectable 3TC-associated HBV resistance, which tended to be associated with increase in liver fibrosis after adjusting for age and sex (p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Compliance with HBV testing and treatment guidelines is poor in this Gambian HIV programme putting coinfected patients at risk of liver complications. However, the excellent uptake of HBV screening and linkage to care in our study suggests feasible improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gibril Ndow
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Surgery & Cancer, St. Mary’s Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- Hepatitis Unit, Disease Control & Elimination, MRC Unit The Gambia, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Mindy L. Gore
- Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yusuke Shimakawa
- Unité d’Épidémiologie des Maladies Émergentes, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Penda Suso
- Hepatitis Unit, Disease Control & Elimination, MRC Unit The Gambia, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Abdoulie Jatta
- Hepatitis Unit, Disease Control & Elimination, MRC Unit The Gambia, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Saydiba Tamba
- Hepatitis Unit, Disease Control & Elimination, MRC Unit The Gambia, Fajara, The Gambia
| | - Amina Sow
- Laboratoire Bactériologie-Virologie, CHU Aristide Le Dantec, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Coumba Touré-Kane
- Laboratoire Bactériologie-Virologie, CHU Aristide Le Dantec, Université Cheikh Anta DIOP, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Fouzia Sadiq
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Surgery & Cancer, St. Mary’s Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Saihou Sabally
- Hands on Care HIV Clinic, Brikama Health Centre, Brikama, The Gambia
| | - Ramou Njie
- Hepatitis Unit, Disease Control & Elimination, MRC Unit The Gambia, Fajara, The Gambia
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), WHO, Lyon, France
| | - Mark R. Thursz
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Surgery & Cancer, St. Mary’s Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Maud Lemoine
- Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Surgery & Cancer, St. Mary’s Hospital Campus, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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