Reversibility of cirrhosis in HIV/HBV coinfection

Antivir Ther. 2007;12(2):279-83.

Abstract

HIV infection worsens the course and the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) leading to rapid progression to cirrhosis and to end-stage liver disease. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens including nucleoside and/or nucleotide analogues with activity against both HIV reverse transcriptase and hepatitis B virus polymerase have clearly improved the survival rates of HIV/HBV-coinfected patients. How HAART beneficially affects the natural course of chronic hepatitis B in coinfected patients is not known. We report a biopsy-proven case of reversal of HBV-related cirrhosis in a coinfected patient, paralleling long-term suppression of HBV replication with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate as part of a HAART. Pathological reversibility of cirrhosis was ascertained by normalization of biochemical (platelet count) and morphological (abdominal ultrasonography and gastrointestinal endoscopy) tests as well as non-invasive markers of fibrosis. In conclusion, a HAART regimen including tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in a HBV/HIV-coinfected cirrhotic patient might lead to sustained HBV viral suppression and result in cirrhosis reversal.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Adenine / pharmacology
  • Adenine / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • DNA, Viral / blood
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / blood
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / blood
  • Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology
  • Male
  • Organophosphonates / pharmacology
  • Organophosphonates / therapeutic use*
  • Platelet Count
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Tenofovir
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Organophosphonates
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
  • Tenofovir
  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Adenine