Virology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Virology, including details on viruses, pathology, classification, definitions. | ||||||||
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Virological outcome of chronic hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-coinfected patients receiving anti-HBV active antiretroviral therapy.Núñez M, Ramos B, Díaz-Pollán B, Camino N, Martín-Carbonero L, Barreiro P, González-Lahoz J, Soriano V Service of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain. m_nunez_g@hotmail.com The immune suppression caused by HIV infection accelerates the course of liver disease caused by chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We assessed the outcome of HIV/HBV-coinfected patients exposed to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) including anti-HBV active drugs. Baseline and follow-up plasma HBVDNA and HIV-RNA levels, HBV serological markers, and CD4 counts were longitudinally evaluated in all HBsAg(+) individuals with HIV infection on regular follow-up at an urban HIV reference clinic. Out of 79 HBsAg(+) chronic carriers identified, 39 (50%) were HBeAg(+). Lamivudine (3TC) alone had been received by 37% of patients, while 3TC plus tenofovir (concomitantly or consecutively) had been taken by 58% of them. The median follow-up was of 52 months. Loss of HBeAg or HBsAg occurred in 28% (10/36) and 13% (10/75) of patients, respectively. In multivariate analysis, only undetectable plasma HIV-RNA levels [OR 4.58 (95% CI 1.25-16.78); p = 0.02] and greater CD4 gains on HAART [OR 1.003 (95% CI 1.000-1.006); p = 0.03] were associated with undetectable serum HBV-DNA at the end of follow-up. Anti-HBV active HAART makes it possible to achieve HBsAg clearance, anti-HBe seroconversion, and suppression of HBV replication in a substantial proportion of HBV/HIV-coinfected patients, particularly in those with complete HIV suppression and greater immune recovery. Thus, HBV/HIV-coinfected patients might benefit from an earlier introduction of HAART. Published 22 September 2006 in AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 22(9): 842-8.
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