经血液(非静脉吸毒者)和性途径传播的HIV感染者合并HBV和HCV感染的现状

目的 探讨我国经血液(非静脉吸毒者)和性途径传播的HIV感染者合并乙型肝炎和丙型肝炎的状况.方法 回顾性分析2005年1至9月在全国13个研究中心就诊的362例HIV/AIDS患者(静脉吸毒者除外),应用酶联免疫试剂盒分别测定其HBsAg、抗-HBs,HBeAg、抗-Hbe、抗-HBc和抗-HCV.采用t检验和X2检验分别对计量和计数结果进行统计学分析.结果 315例检测血HBV和HCV的患者中,HBsAg阳性14例,占4.4%;抗-HCV阳性158例,占50.2%,抗-HCV阴性157例,占49.8%;HIV、HBV、HCV共感染2例,占0.6%.抗-HCV阳性组中经血液和性传播的比例分别占92%和4%,以血液传播为主;抗-HCV阴性组中经血液和性传播的比例分别占11%和66%,以性传播为主.抗-HCV阳性组的HIV确诊时间、CD4+T淋巴细胞绝对计数、ALT和AST均高于抗-HCV阴性组.两组患者的HBV标志物表达也存在差异,其中抗-HCV阳性组中HBsAg阳性2例,占1.3%,抗-HCV阴性组中HBsAg阳性12例,占7.6%,两组比较差异有统计学意义(X2=7.542,P<0.01).10例HBsAg阳性者进行HBV DNA检测,其中4例阳性,抗-HCV均为阴性.57例抗-HCV阳性患者进行HCV RNA检测,阳性者占63.2%.结论 我国输血和性传播途径的HIV感染合并HBV或HCV感染,以合并HCV感染为主,并多见于经输血感染者.合并HCV感染可加重HIV患者的肝脏损伤,同时也可能存在干扰HBV复制的情况.     

茂名地区HIV感染者合并TP HBV和HCV感染及对CD4~+ T淋巴细胞的影响

目的了解茂名地区艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染者合并感染梅毒(TP)、乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)和丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)的现状及对CD4+T淋巴细胞(简称CD4细胞)计数的影响,为艾滋病的有效防控提供参考依据。方法收集2016年4月至2017年10月在茂名市疾病预防控制中心检测CD4细胞数并已确证的HIV感染者564例,检测分析TP、HBV和HCV合并感染情况,并比较治疗6个月后CD4细胞的变化情况。结果在564例HIV感染者中,单一HIV感染、HIV-TP、HIV-HBV、HIV-HCV、HIV-TP-HBV、HIV-TP-HCV、HIV-HBV-HCV和HIVTP-HBV-HCV合并感染率分别为72.7%、11.3%、11.0%、3.0%、0.9%、0.4%、0.5%和0.2%。与单一HIV感染组比较,除HIV-HCV合并感染组在年龄分布上有统计学差异(P0.05)外,其余在性别、年龄、地域分布上,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。HIV-TP、HIV-HBV和HIV-HCV合并感染的CD4细胞平均数,比单一HIV感染分别低19个/μL、35个/μL和47个/μL,只有HIV-HBV合并感染组的CD4细胞数与单一HIV感染组比,差异有统计学意义(P=0.022)。结论茂名市HIV感染者合并TP、HBV和HCV感染率较高,HIV合并HBV感染降低了CD4细胞的恢复数,在艾滋病抗病毒治疗前应加强TP、HBV和HCV感染标志物的筛查。     

T淋巴细胞对HBV反应能力的比较研究HIV感染急性期及慢性期

目的 探索HIV感染急性期及慢性期T淋巴细胞对HBV反应能力的差异.方法 入组合并HBV感染的HIV感染急性期患者10例,合并HBV感染的HIV感染慢性期患者15例,分析HBV DNA与HIV RNA及CD4+T细胞之间的相关性;收集患者的外周血单个核细胞,用HBsAg重叠肽刺激培养后检测CD4+T细胞及CD8+T细胞分泌IFN-γ的能力.结果 HBV DNA水平与HIV RNA水平呈正相关(r=0.502,P=0.011),HBV DNA水平与CD4+T细胞计数呈负相关(r=-0.409,P=0.042).HIV感染急性期患者经HBsAg重叠肽刺激后CD4+T细胞及CD8+T细胞分泌IFN-γ的能力(分别为9.1％±3.9％及4.4％±1.8％)明显高于HIV感染慢性期患者(分别为5.7％±2.5％及2.7％±1.4％).结论 HIV合并HBV感染的患者在HIV感染急性期对HBV的清除能力明显高于HIV感染慢性期,本研究为探究HIV感染不同时期对HBV清除能力差异提供了证据.     

抗反转录病毒治疗人类免疫缺陷病毒/丙型肝炎病毒合并感染者终末期肝病的发生率及危险因素

目的 了解抗反转录病毒治疗(ART) HIV/HCV合并感染人群中终末期肝病的发生率及相关的危险因素.方法 回顾性研究HIV/HCV合并感染者的人口学资料和临床资料.单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析各变量[基线时年龄≥40岁、男性、既往有受血史、HCV持续感染时间、合并HBV感染(HBsAg阳性)、随访末时HIV RNA≥1×104拷贝/mL、随访末时HCV RNA≥1×105拷贝/mL、随访末时CD4细胞计数＞200/μL、随访末时ALT≥2×正常值上限(ULN)、包含奈韦拉平的ART、随访时间、ART持续时间＞5年、HCV基因1b型]与终末期肝病发生的相关性;Kaplan-Meier法分析终末期肝病对HIV/HCV合并感染者生存的影响.结果 共纳入427例HIV/HCV合并感染者,平均随访3.7年,55例患者(12.9％)出现终末期肝病,52例患者死亡,病死率为12.2％.多因素Logistic回归分析显示,基线时年龄≥40岁(OR=2.385,P=0.039)、ALT≥2×ULN(OR=16.374,P=0.000)、合并HBV感染(OR=2.507,P=0.042)、ART持续时间＞5年(OR=3.232,P=0.010)及CD4细胞计数≥200/μL(OR=0.364,P=0.011)与终末期肝病的发生显著相关.在有终末期肝病与无终末期肝病的HIV/HCV合并感染者中,病死率分别为50.9％和6.5％,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P=0.000).结论 随着ART的开展,终末期肝病在HIV/HCV合并感染者中仍较常见,合并终末期肝病明显缩短了HIV/HCV合并感染者的生存期.     

有偿供血员HCV、HIV和HBV感染的调查分析

目的 了解有偿供血员感染丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）、艾滋病病毒（HIV）和乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）的情况,分析HCV和HIV感染对HBsAg的影响。方法 检测296名供血员血清抗－HCV、抗－HIV和HBV的5项标志物（HBsAg、抗－HBs、HBeAg抗－HBe及抗－HBc）。结果 296例有偿供血员中,抗－HCV阳性194例,占65.5%。抗－HCV阳性者中,抗－HIV阳性为145例,占HCV总阳性的75％。本组AIDS患者均死于肝外感染或肿瘤而非肝病。HCV合并HIV感染组的HBsAg阳性率为2.8%,明显低于单纯HCV和单纯HIV感染者（10％）,两组比较差异有显著性（P＜0.05）。结论 在HIV高发区,抗－HCV阳性有偿献血员常合并HIV感染,是AIDS高危人群。HCV合并HIV感染,可能干扰HBsAg的合成。     

人类免疫缺陷病毒感染者混合感染丙型和乙型肝炎病毒后对高效抗逆转录病毒治疗疗效的影响

目的 观察HIV感染者合并HCV和HBV感染后对高效抗逆转录病毒治疗(HAART)疗效的影响.方法 对某地区HIV、HCV共感染患者166例(HIV+HCV组),HIV、HCV和HBV混合感染患者23例(H1V+HCV+HBV组)及单纯HIV感染者178例,给予1年的HAART治疗,观察3组患者病毒学反应、免疫学反应和肝功能动态变化.以流式细胞仪检测外周血CD4+T淋巴细胞;实时PCR定量检测HCV、HIV和HBV病毒载量.结果 单纯HIV感染组、HIV+HCV+HBV组和HIV+HCV组经HAART 1年后,HIV病毒载量分别由治疗前(6.78±1.08)、(6.23±1.34)、(6.54±1.23)lg拷贝/ml下降至(0.53±0.15)、(0.67±0.16)、(0.43±0.11)lg拷贝/ml(P值均＜0.001).CD4+T淋巴细胞计数分别由治疗前的(197±127)、(184±113)、(213±143)个/μl上升至(382±74)、(383±70)、(378±76)个/μl(P值均＜0.001).3组之间各时间点CD4+T淋巴细胞、HIV病毒载量差异无统计学意义.3组患者ALT、AST、总胆红素治疗前后无显著变化,相同时间点组间比较差异无统计学意义.HAART前后,HCV病毒载量差异无统计学意义.结论 HIV感染者混合感染HBV和(或)HCV,不影响HAART的疗效;HAART对HCV复制无抑制作用.     

未抗病毒治疗人类免疫缺陷病毒感染者隐匿性乙型肝炎的调查及其临床特点

目的 观察未经抗病毒治疗(ART)的人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染者和普通人群隐匿性乙型肝炎流行状况,评估HIV感染者合并隐匿性乙型肝炎的临床特点.方法 通过酶联免疫分析法检测未经ART治疗的HIV感染者和普通人群血浆HBsAg、抗-HBs、HBeAg、抗-HBe和抗-HBc水平,筛查出HBsAg阴性的HIV感染者(感染组)249例,健康体检者HBsAg阴性者121例(健康组),再采用罗氏COBASAmpliPrep/COBAS TaqManHBVTest,version2.0试剂盒检测外周血HBV DNA水平.统计分析用STATA 10软件处理本实验各组数据.用Fisher's精确概率检验、秩和检验.结果 感染组HBV DNA阳性者24例,隐匿性乙型肝炎占9.7％;健康组HBV DNA阳性者4例,隐匿性乙型肝炎占3.3％,两组比较,P=0.035,差异有统计学意义.感染组24例HBVDNA阳性者,HBV DNA载量最低者血中能测到,但在检测值水平以下,(即＜20 IU/ml),最高者3.22×105 IU/ml.大于100 IU/ml占37.5％(9/24),20 ～ 99 IU/ml占16.7％ (4/24),＜20IU/ml,但可测出HBV DNA占45.8％ (11/24).HIV感染者抗-HBc(+)/抗-HBs(+)组、抗-HBc(+)/抗-HBs(-)组、抗-HBc(-)/抗-HBs(+)组、抗-HBc(-)/抗-HBs(-)组DNA阳性率分别为7.3％ (8/110),20.8％ (11/53),14.3％ (3/21),3.1％(2/64),抗-HBc(+)/抗-HBs(-)组分别与抗-HBc(+)/抗-HBs(+)组、抗-HBc(-)/抗-HBs(-)组两组比较,P值分别为0.018和0.003,差异有统计学意义.四组间HBV DNA病毒载量比较,P=0.805,差异无统计学意义.感染组HBV DNA(+)组与HBV DNA(-)组比较,CD4计数(Z=1.902,P=0.0586)和ALT水平(Z=1.401,P=0.1611)差异无统计学意义.结论 在未经ART治疗HIV感染者中,隐匿性乙型肝炎高于普通人群,HIV感染者抗-HBc(+)/抗-HBs(-)组隐匿性乙型肝炎最高.     

慢性乙型肝炎病毒感染者家族隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染的调查

目的 了解慢性HBV感染者家族隐匿性HBV感染的发生率及其与HBV标志物、年龄和性别等的关系.方法 ELISA方法检测慢性HBV感染者家族成员的HBV血清学标志物,套式PCR法检测136例HBsAg阴性家族成员的血清HBV DNA,并将隐匿性HBV感染者和HBsAg、HBV DNA均阴性者分别作为试验组和对照组进行HBV标志物、年龄、性别和生物化学检测结果的比较.两组均数比较采用t检验.率的比较采用χ~2检验或Fisher确切概率法检验.结果 在52个慢性HBV感染者家族中共检测到92例HBsAg阳性者和136例HBsAg阴性者,其中15例为隐匿性HBV感染者,慢性HBV感染者家族HBsAg阳性率和隐匿性HBV感染的发生率分别为40.4%和11.0%,15例隐匿性HBV感染者中有7例抗-HBc阳性(χ~2=5.341,P=0.02),但隐匿性HBV感染的存在与年龄、性别等无关.结论 HBV感染存在家庭聚集现象,且在其家族中存在隐匿性HBV感染,并在抗-HBc阳性者中发生率较高.     

HIV/AIDS病人合并HBV和HCV感染状况分析

目的分析艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染者和艾滋病(AIDS)病人(简称HIV/AIDS病人)合并感染乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)、丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)的流行现状及其特点,为AIDS的防控和治疗提供科学依据。方法选取2011-2015年期间准备开始高效抗反转录病毒治疗(HAART)的HIV/AIDS病人986例,采用酶联免疫吸附试验检测HIV/AIDS病人血液中的乙型肝炎表面抗原(HBsAg)和/或丙型肝炎病毒抗体(HCV-Ab)。计数资料样本率的比较采用χ2检验,计量资料的比较采用t检验。结果 HIV/AIDS病人合并HBV感染率为6.06%(59/974),合并HCV感染率为4.12%(40/972),合并HBV/HCV双重感染率为0.42%(4/960),HIV/AIDS病人合并HBV和HCV感染率的差异无统计学意义。血液途径感染HIV者的合并HBV感染率为15.79%,合并HCV感染率为41.03%,均显著高于性途径合并HBV和HCV的感染率(5.01%和1.68%)。合并乙型肝炎病人的CD4+T淋巴细胞200个/μL的比例,明显高于合并丙型肝炎病人CD4+T淋巴细胞200个/μL的比例。合并HBV和HCV感染的病人的天冬氨酸转氨酶、丙氨酸转氨酶、总胆红素均没有显著性差异。结论郑州市HIV/AIDS病人合并HBV和HCV总体感染率低于普通人群,HIV合并HBV/HCV感染的趋势有所控制。但血液途径感染HIV者合并HBV和HCV感染率仍高于普通人群,要加大防控力度。     

HIV急性期/早期感染者合并HBV感染的临床特征

目的探讨艾滋病病毒(HIV)急性期/早期感染者合并感染乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)的临床特点及实验室特征,进一步明确影响HIV/HBV重叠感染疾病进展的关键因素。方法采用回顾性分析的方法,了解单独HIV急性期/早期感染者(单独HIV感染组)和合并HBV的HIV急性期/早期感染者(HIV/HBV重叠感染组)的初始CD+4T淋巴细胞(简称CD4细胞)计数和病毒载量调定点,以及两组病人感染HIV一年内CD4细胞计数和HIV病毒载量的动态变化,和HIV急性期/早期合并HBV感染的临床特征。结果 20例HIV/HBV重叠感染组的初始CD4细胞计数平均值为(443.55±197.00)个/μL(213~985个/μL),病毒载量调定点(4.34±0.99)Log10拷贝/mL(1.82~5.47Log10拷贝/mL)。30例单独HIV感染组病人的初始CD4细胞计数平均值为(497.37±121.29)个/μL(196~792个/μL),病毒载量调定点(3.87±0.62)Log10拷贝/mL(2.77~5.19Log10拷贝/mL)。HIV/HBV重叠感染组的初始CD4细胞计数明显低于单独HIV感染组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。HIV/HBV重叠感染组的病毒载量调定点明显高于单独HIV感染组,两组间差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论在我国HIV急性期/早期感染者中,HIV/HBV重叠感染者与单独HIV感染者比较,初始CD4细胞计数明显降低,病毒载量调定点明显升高,HIV病毒复制更为活跃。     

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B & C in HIV patients infected through sexual transmission.

BACKGROUND: Prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers including active and occult infection has not been described in diverse cohorts among HIV-infected patients in India. Earlier studies have explained the role of HBV/HCV co-infection in cohorts of injection drug users (IDUs) but the sexual co-transmission of HBV/ HCV is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of occult HBV & HCV infection in HIV positive sexually acquired transmission risk group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 58 sexually acquired HIV positive patients were taken up for the study of occult HBV/HCV co-infection. Data on demographics, sexual behaviour, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), medical history, laboratory tests viz., serum ALT and CD4 count were recorded. HBV serology included HBsAg, anti HBs, IgG anti HBc and HBV DNA (PCR). HCV serology included anti HCV & HCV RNA (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Occult HBV infection (HBV DNA) was observed in 12.2% (7/58 with HBsAg -ve and IgG anti HBc +ve subjects) while an overall prevalence of HBV DNA was 13.7% (12% occult & 1.7% in HBsAg+ve patients). Out of 58 HIV positive patients 29.3% demonstrated reactivity for any marker of past or current HBV infection. (HBsAg 1.7%, anti HBs 10.3% anti HBc IgG 17.2%). 4/58 (6.8%) revealed anti HCV positivity along with HCV RNA positivity by RT-PCR while 6/58 (10.3%) individuals revealed an occult HCV infection (anti HCV negative). The overall HCV RNA prevalence was 17.2%. 2 out of 58 (3.4%) individuals were positive for occult infection of both HBV DNA & HCV RNA (Triple infection HIV/HBV/ HCV). The HBV/HCV co-infected group (n = 18) showed a significantly high ALT (114.3 + 12.3 U/I) & low CD4 count (202.5 + 33.7 cells/mm3). The percent prevalence of HBV/ HCV co-infection was higher in the illiterate group, in men less than 30 years of age, and in those who were married and exhibited polygamous activity. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that in HIV infected patients testing only serological viral markers like HBsAg, antiHBcIgG & anti HCV, fails to identify the true prevalence of co-infection with HBV & HCV. Qualitative PCR for HBV DNA & HCV RNA detects co-infection in patients who are negative for serological markers. Also, in subjects who had only a sexual risk factor for parenterally transmitted infections, HIV may enhance the sexual transmission of HBV and HCV.     

Evolution of hepatitis B serological markers in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND: Evolution of serological markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriage or infection has rarely been investigated among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: During the period 1997-2002, a total of 633 HIV-infected patients were tested for HBV serological markers at baseline, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs ), antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody (anti-HCV) antibody, HCV RNA level, and HBV DNA level, all of which were retested at least 1 year apart. Medical records were reviewed to identify clinical characteristics associated with evolution of these serological markers. RESULTS: After a median duration of follow-up for 4.96 years, 161 patients (25.4%) had changes in HBV serological markers. Of 119 patients (18.8%) who tested positive for HBsAg at baseline, 6 (5.0%) developed anti-HBs, and 9 (7.6%) developed isolated anti-HBc. Of 270 patients (42.7%) who tested positive for anti-HBs, 18 (6.7%) lost anti-HBs. Of 179 patients (28.3%) in whom isolated anti-HBc had been detected, 73 (40.8%) developed anti-HBs, 18 (10.1%) lost all HBV markers, and 7 (3.9%) developed HBsAg. Of 65 patients (10.2%) who tested negative for all HBV markers, 13 (20%) developed anti-HBs, 13 (20%) developed isolated anti-HBc, and 4 (6.2%) developed HBsAg, indicating a high risk of HBV exposure. Patients in whom anti-HBc was detected at baseline were more likely to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (P=.008). Multivariate analysis revealed that an increase in the CD4 cell count after the commencement of HAART was significantly associated with persistence or subsequent development of anti-HBs in patients with anti-HBs or anti-HBc at baseline, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Periodic measurements of HBV serological markers in HIV-infected patients are recommended, because new HBV infections and changes of HBV serological markers are not uncommon in patients with improved immunity after commencement of HAART.     

Retracted: outcome and immune reconstitution of HBV-specific immunity in patients with reactivation of occult HBV infection after alemtuzumab-containing chemotherapy regimen

Whether preemptive anti- hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy should be considered in all hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative patients with occult HBV infection receiving alemtuzumab containing chemotherapy is uncertain. We determined the outcome and effect on HBV-specific immunity of an alemtuzumab-containing chemotherapy regimen in occult HBV-infected patients. Twenty-one consecutive occult HBV-infected patients treated with an alemtuzumab containing chemotherapy regimen were studied. T cell reactivity to HBV antigens and -peptides were quantified by ELISpot and the T cell subset by flow cytometry. Six of the 21 patients (28.6%) developed HBsAg seroreversion. The median (range) time to development of HBsAg seroreversion after the end of chemotherapy was 1.8 months (0.2-2.3 months). Direct sequencing showed that the occult HBV infection of all six patients (100%) was reactivated. These six patients developed severe HBV-related hepatitis. At the end of follow-up, four of these six patients (66.7%) had become negative for HBsAg again. Recovery of CD4+ T cell count and CD4+T cell reactivity against hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) occurred 9 months after the end of chemotherapy. Loss of HBsAg occurred after recovery of the CD4+T cell count and increased CD4+T cell reactivity against HBcAg 9 months after the end of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: An alemtuzumab-containing chemotherapy regimen is associated with a high risk of reactivation of occult HBV infection. Suppression of HBV immunity by an alemtuzumab-containing chemotherapy regimen would persist until 9 months after the end of chemotherapy. In occult HBV-infected patients receiving an alemtuzumab-containing chemotherapy regimen, preemptive anti-HBV therapy should be continued until 9 months after the end of chemotherapy, when recovery of HBV immunity has occurred.     

Occult hepatitis B in Mexican patients with HIV, an analysis using nested polymerase chain reaction

Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) with undetectable levels of HBsAg, has been named occult HBV infection and observed in immunosuppressed patients. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of occult HBV infection in patients with HIV from the West of México, using a combination of serological markers and nPCR. Thirty eight HIV/AIDS patients, 32 men (84.2%) and 6 (5.8%) women, without liver damage related symptoms were studied. HBV coinfection was observed in 10 (26.3%) patients; while only 3 (7.9%) of them were positive to HBsAg. Thus, 7 (18.4%) occult HBV infected patients could be assessed in this population. One (10%) patient with occult HBV infection was positive to anti-HBs, in spite of the reinfection protection attributed to this serological marker. Anti-HBc was detected only in 2 (20%) patients with occult HBV infection. No significant association could be established between occult HBV infection and CD+4 cell count, biochemical, clinical parameters, AIDS stage, or any other risk factor. This study suggest that determination of HBV DNA utilizing highly sensitive techniques, as nPCR, should be performed to detect occult HBV infection, even in the absence of anti-HBc in HIV/ AIDS patients, in order to have a reliable diagnosis, prevent HBV dissemination and acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B or even fulminant hepatitis. To our knowledge this is the first study of occult HBV infection in Mexican patients with HIV. However, further studies are necessary in order to determine HBV genotypes and its relationship with evolution and clinical manifestation of the disease.     

Occult HBV infection among anti-HBc positive HIV-infected patients in apex referral centre,Eastern India

Background. The prevalence of occult HBV, defined by the presence of HBV DNA in individuals with antibodies to HBV core antigen and with absence of HBV surface antigen, but its clinical significance and virological features in HIV-infected patients is still unclear.Aim. To investigate the prevalence, clinical significance and molecular characterization of occult hepatitis B virus infection in ART-Naive HIV-positive individuals.Material and methods. Among the 1077 HIV-infected patients with different risk factors for HIV infection, 297 were HBsAg-ve ART-naive, of them 112 was randomly selected for the study. HBV DNA was tested by in-house PCR and quantified by qPCR. Molecular characterization was performed by sequencing the envelope and overlapping polymerase genes.Results. We found the prevalence of occult HBV to be 10.7% among a randomly selected group of HBsAg-ve/antiHBc+ve HIV-infected patients. Overall 33.9% (38 of 112) of the patients were antiHBc positive indicating exposure to HBV infection. HBV DNA was detected in 12/38 (31.5%) antiHBc positive samples and 50% of them had CD4 T cell count < 200 cells/mm³. HCV coinfection was low (2.7%). No surrogate marker for OBI could be identified. Presence of antiHBs antibodies did not rule out OBI. Liver biopsy in six cases showed varying stages of chronic hepatitis. Several mutations were detected but not the common immune escape mutant G145R.Conclusion. In conclusion the prevalence of OBI was significantly high among HIV coinfected patients, which highlights the importance of HBV DNA testing in these patients and indicates need for further prospective studies in larger cohorts to assess its clinical significance.     

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in HIV-infected Lebanese patients with isolated antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen

The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers have been investigated in 101 Lebanese patients (69 men, 32 women; mean age 32.7 +/- 1.7 years) infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Seven patients (6.9%) were HBsAg carriers compared with 54 patients (53.5%) who had no evidence of exposure to HBV infection. Twenty-four patients (23.8%) had anti-HBc alone as a serological marker compared with four patients who were positive for anti-HBs alone and 12 patients (11.9%) who were anti-HBc and anti-HBs-positive. Occult HBV infection (presence of HBV DNA in the absence of HBsAg) is found to be relatively high (28.7%) in HIV-infected Lebanese patients and the overwhelming majority (83.3%) of those who were positive for anti-HBc alone had a detectable HBV DNA in their serum. However, none of our HIV-positive patients with occult HBV infection had abnormal alanine aminotransferase level, which also raises the question as to whether occult HBV plays a role in the aetiology of liver disease in HIV-infected patients. Further, studies on the association between HBV DNA levels and markers of liver function in addition to data on liver biopsy would help in answering this question.     

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C seropositivity in a Nigerian cohort of HIV-infected patients

Introduction: The clinical and public health implications of the convergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic and chronic viral hepatitis in sub-Saharan Africa are poorly understood. This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and the impact of co-infection on baseline serum alanine transaminase (ALT), CD4⁺ T lymphocyte (CD4) count, and plasma HIV-RNA (viral load) in a cohort of HIV-infected Nigerians. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted, on eligible treatment-naive patients who presented between August 2004 and February 2007 to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. Demographic data and pre-treatment laboratory results (hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HCV antibodies (anti-HCV), ALT, CD4 count and viral load) were retrieved from the medical records. Fisher’s exact, two sample t-tests, and the Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare groups. A logistic regression model was fitted to explore characteristics associated with co-infection status. Results: A total of 1779 HIV-infected patients (male: female ratio, 1:2) met inclusion criteria. HBsAg was present in 11.9%, anti-HCV in 4.8% and both markers in 1%. HBsAg was more common among males than females (15.4% vs 10.1%, respectively p = 0.001) while anti-HCV was detected in a similar proportion of males and females (5.3% versus 4.6%, respectively p = 0.559). HIV-infected patients with anti-HCV alone had a lower mean baseline CD4 count compared to those without anti-HCV or HBsAg (197 cells/mm³vs247 cells/mm³, respectively p = 0.008). Serum ALT was higher among patients with HBsAg compared to those without HBsAg or anti-HCV (43 International Units (IU) vs. 39 IU, respectively p = 0.015). Male gender was associated with HBV co-infection on logistic regression (OR1.786; 95% CI, 1.306-2.443; p < 0.005). Conclusion: More HIV-infected females than males presented for care in this cohort. We identified a relatively high prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection in general, and a higher rate of HBV co-infection among males than females. Pre-treatment CD4 count was significantly lower among those with HCV co-infection, while ALT was slightly higher among those with HBV co-infection. Triple infection with HIV, HBV and HCV was present in a small but significant proportion of patients. These findings underscore the importance of testing for HBV and HCV in all HIV-infected persons in our setting.     

Impact of occult HBV infection in HIV/HCV co-infected patients: HBV-DNA detection in liver specimens and in serum samples

Prevalence and impact of occult HBV infection in HIV positive patients is controversial. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of occult HBV infection and its impact on histological and virological parameters. 52 HIV/HCV (but HBsAg-negative) co-infected patients, 29 HBsAg and anti-HCV negative chronic hepatitis, and 20 HBsAg positive chronic hepatitis controls were studied. DNA was extracted from frozen biopsies and amplified with primers for S, C and X regions, and for (ccc) HBV-DNA. Sera were tested for HBV-DNA with two quantitative assays (Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor, and the real-time COBAS (r) Taqman HBV Test, Roche Diagnostics, UK). Occult HBV infection was detected in 7 (13.4%) liver biopsies of the study group, and in none case of the non viral chronic hepatitis group (p=0.04). All serum samples were HBV-DNA negative with Cobas Amplicor HBV monitor assay, while 3 cases were found positive with real time PCR. Statistical analysis didn't show any impact of occult HBV infection on liver histology, CD4+ cells count, HIV and HCV load, and ALT levels. Occult B infection is relatively frequent in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, and is underestimated by common HBV-DNA serological assays. However, it doesn't seem to exert a relevant impact.     

Occult hepatitis B in HIV-HCV coinfected patients

The prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in HIV infected patients is controversial, varying from less than 1% to 62% in different studies. Blood samples of 111 HIV-infected patients, HCV-positive, HBs antigen negative, followed in the APROCO-ANRS EP11 cohort, were used to detect HBV DNA by using 2 different validated assays (Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor Test and INSERM U271 qualitative ultra-sensitive PCR), completed when positive by HBV real-time PCR. HBV DNA was found in 6 (5.4%, 95% CI 1.2%-9.6%) patients by at least 1 of these assays, but none tested positive in all 3 assays. All 6 patients had anti-HBc without anti-HBs antibodies; 5 were not on lamivudine. Their median CD4 and CD8 counts were significantly lower and their HIV viral load higher than in the other 105 patients. In conclusion, the prevalence of occult hepatitis B may vary significantly according to the molecular assay used, even though these assays are validated with high specificity and quite high sensitivity. Occult hepatitis B may be encountered in HIV-HCV coinfected patients without anti-HBV treatment, with anti-HBc but without anti-HBs antibodies, and relatively low immunity, suggesting a potential risk of further reactivation, as already sporadically reported.