Due to overlapping routes of transmission, some individuals are triply infected with HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

As reported in the May 31, 2008 issue of AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, an international team of researchers studied a group of
HIV-HBV-HCV coinfected patients to characterize viral interactions in the HAART era.

All HIV infected patients with detectable anti-HCV antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were identified at 5 HIV clinics. Testing for anti-hepatitis delta (HDV) antibodies, quantification of serum HIV RNA, HCV RNA, and HBV DNA, and determination of HBV and HCV genotype were performed. Out of 67 patients identified, 47 (70%) were receiving hepatitis B treatment.

Results

In conclusion, the study authors wrote, "In this cohort of triple infection (HBV/HCV/HIV), various viral patterns were identified."

"Spontaneous HCV clearance was frequent, and it was independently associated with HDV coinfection," they noted. "In the absence of [anti-]HBV therapy, HBV most often actively replicates."

Finally, they stated "HBV/HCV replication or genotypes were not related to the replication of the other virus."

These findings conflict with those of some other studies suggesting that active HBV replication is associated with inhibition of HCV, and vice versa.

Istituto Malattie Infettive, Sassari, Italy; Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Hospital Virgen de la Macarena, Sevilla, Spain; Hospital de Especialidades, México City, Mexico; Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

6/17/08

Reference

I Maida, MJ Rios, L Perez-Saleme, and others. Profile of Patients Triply Infected with HIV and the Hepatitis B and C Viruses in the HAART Era. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 24(5): 679-683. May 1, 2008.

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