Therapy of hepatitis B and hepatitis C coinfection in HIV patients
Vogel, M.; Rockstroh, J.K.
MMW Fortschritte der Medizin 147(Special Issue 1): 56-59
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 1438-3276 PMID: 16385878 Document Number: 589184
Hepatitis coinfection represents a major risk for end stage liver disease in HIV-positive patients. For this reason, categorically every patient should be evaluated in respect to a specific treatment for hepatitis. The immunological benefit of HAART for hepatitis/HIV coinfected patients is not only a reduction of the risk for HIV disease, but also the reduction of the risk for liver associated diseases and outweighs the drawbacks of a potential hepatotoxicity of HAART. Thus, HAART should not be withheld from a patient because of hepatitis coinfection. When cirrhosis is present, semiannual prophylactic checkups are recommended to monitor the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.