Virological profiles in hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus coinfected patients under interferon plus ribavirin therapy
Saitta, C.; Pontisso, P.; Brunetto, M.R.; Fargion, S.; Gaeta, G.B.; Niro, G.A.; Picciotto, A.; Smedile, A.; Squadrito, G.; Raimondo, G.
Antiviral Therapy 11(7): 931-934
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 1359-6535 PMID: 17302256 Document Number: 602535
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is believed to exert a suppressive effect on hepatitis B virus (HBV) in most HBV/HCV-coinfected patients; once HCV is cured by interferon-based therapy, these patients may show HBV reactivation. However, recent evidence revealed that the virological status in HBV/HCV-untreated individuals may vary over time and may show fluctuating profiles. To evaluate the behaviour of apparently inactive HBV infection in patients under treatment for a concurrent HCV infection, we performed a prospective study that evaluated nine consecutive patients (eight males with a median age of 45.9 years, and one female aged 62 years) longitudinally followed-up with bi-monthly evaluation of HBV/HCV viraemia levels and liver biochemistry during a 1-year treatment with interferon plus ribavirin. In seven cases the HBV infection maintained its inactive status independently of the HCV response to therapy. By contrast, two non-responder cases with persistently high HCV RNA levels showed HBV DNA flairs during the follow-up, indicating a status of active HBV infection with fluctuating virological profiles. This study suggests that the HBV behaviour may be independent of the HCV activity during anti-HCV therapy in HBV/HCV-coinfected patients, and that the HBV virological profile should be monitored to recognize possible reactivations that might lead to more proper therapeutic choices or adjustments.