3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

OCCULT HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION IN A COHORT OF HIV INFECTED PATIENTS

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. TuPe1.1C31

Marino N.¹, Lo Caputo S.¹, Pierotti P.¹, Blé C.¹, Riccardi M.P.², Trezzi M.², Toti M.², De Gennaro M.³, Scasso A.³, Vivarelli A.⁴, Dionisio D.⁴, Mazzotta F.^1
1S.M.Annunziata Hospital, Firenze, Italy, ²Misericordia Hospital, Grosseto, Italy, ³Campo di Marte Hospital, Lucca, Italy, ⁴del Ceppo Hospital, Pistoia, Italy

INTRODUCTION: Markers of HBV infection are present in a hight proportion of HIV-infected individuals. Most individuals develop anti-HBs and anti-HBc. 10-18% develop anti-HBc in absence of detectable anti-HBs and they may have latent HBV infection.

METHODS: 955 consecutive HIV+ patients in the year 2003 were chequed in 4 Infectious Disease Units in Tuscany (Italy) in order to assess HIV-related parameters, serological markers for HBV and HCV. PCR for HBV-DNA (Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor; threshold of detection: 200 HBV-DNA copies/mL) was performed in patients who showed only anti-HBc reactivity. Epidemiological, clinical and therapeutical data were collected. T.Student test was employed.

RESULTS: 955 HIV+ patients ( 71,3% males, median age 42,3 years, heterosexual transmission 26,7%, homosexual 30,2%, IVD 59,4%) were evaluated for HBV infection. 581 patients (60,8%) were anti-HBc positive, 64 (6,7%) HbsAg positive, 361 (37,8%) anti-HBs positive, 190 (19,9%) anti-HBc positive alone. 402 patients (42,1%) were coinfected with HCV. Isolated antiHBc+ was not related to sex, age, immunological status and HIV-viremia. Patients with isolated anti-HBc+ were more likely than patients anti-HBc- to be HCV seropositive ( 71% vs 17,3% p<0,0001). HBV-DNA was positive in 6,9% of anti-HBc + patients, with low level of replication ( from 102 to 103 copies/mL). Data on the follow-up (6-12 months) report that viraemia B in occult HBV is intermittent and 14,3% of the patients introduce positive HBV DNA in at least one determination. Patients HBV-DNA positive didn't show either clinical or laboratory abnormalities, no evidence of relation with CD4 count, HIV-RNA, HAART, or HCV coinfection. Liver cirrhosis was observed only in HCV+ patients, and does not relate to HBV-DNA.

CONCLUSIONS: Occult HBV infection is frequent in HIV-infected patients; HBV-DNA was positive in 14,3% of anti-HBc + patients, but longitudinal evaluation of HBV-DNA is necessary for correct diagnosis of occult HBV infection.

Download PDF of this abstract.

050724
Clinical | TuPe1.1C31 | Nicoletta Marino
Hepatitis viruses

Copyright © 2005 - International AIDS Society (IAS). All information and content relating to the abstracts from the 3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and software is protected by copyright. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information on this web site, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information herein, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.