Viral hepatitis B/C and HIV. Therapy of double infections
Mauss, S.
MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 145(Special Issue 1): 21-25
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1438-3276 PMID: 15011579 Document Number: 556497
In patients with HIV coinfection, chronic hepatitis B was initially treated with interferon alpha, but the long-term results were disappointing. Currently, pegylated interferon is being investigated in an ongoing study. The nucleoside analogues lamivudine and adefovir may well become established as alternatives to interferon alpha. Treatment of hepatitis C in HIV coinfection with interferon alpha plus ribavirin also proved less efficacious compared to HCV-monoinfection. Initial preliminary results of studies on pegylated interferon alpha indicate an advantage over conventional interferon. Under treatment for hepatitis metabolic acidosis and hepatic decompensation may occur--in particular with didanosine and/or stavudine--and these substances may therefore be avoided as antiretroviral therapy in dual infection with hepatitis and HIV.