Related Experiment Videos
Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic hepatitis B virus carriers
G Fattovich1, A Tagger, L Brollo
1Istituto di Medicina Clinica, Università di Padova, Italy.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies were found in 35% of chronic hepatitis B patients with low HBV replication. This suggests HCV may drive liver disease in some patients with inactive hepatitis B.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects millions globally.
- Coinfection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) can alter CHB disease progression.
- Understanding coinfection patterns is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of anti-HCV in CHB patients.
- To determine if HCV plays a role in CHB pathogenesis in specific subgroups.
- To assess the long-term impact of anti-HCV in CHB patients.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 184 HBsAg-positive CHB patients for anti-HCV.
- Assessed HBV replication (HBV-DNA), anti-HBe, and HDV status.
- Followed anti-HCV positive patients for up to 11 years, monitoring ALT and liver histology.
Main Results:
- Anti-HCV was detected in 8% of HBV-DNA positive patients and 35% of anti-HBe positive, HBV-DNA negative patients.
- No anti-HCV was found in healthy HBsAg carriers.
- Anti-HCV was more frequent in HDV-positive (32%) vs. HDV-negative (12%) cases.
- Anti-HCV persisted in 90% of cases with ongoing ALT elevation.
- Liver histology worsened in 2/4 anti-HCV positive, anti-HBe positive, HBV-DNA negative patients.
Conclusions:
- A subgroup of CHB patients (anti-HBe positive, HBV-DNA negative, HDV negative) shows a higher prevalence of anti-HCV.
- HCV may be a significant factor in liver disease progression within this specific CHB subgroup.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the role of HCV in CHB pathogenesis.
Abstract:
One hundred eighty-four patients with hepatitis B surface antigen-positive chronic hepatitis were evaluated for antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV). Only 11 (8%) of 136 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication (HBV-DNA-positive in serum) while 7 (35%) of 20 positive for antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe) but HBV-DNA-negative were positive for anti-HCV. By contrast, anti-HCV was never found in 30 anti-HBe-positive "healthy" carriers. Anti-HCV was more frequent in hepatitis D virus (HDV)-positive than in HDV-negative cases (32% vs. 12%). During 1-11 years of follow-up, anti-HCV persisted in 90% of cases, who showed continuing alanine aminotransferase elevation. Liver histology deteriorated in 2 of 4 anti-HCV-positive, anti-HBe-positive, HBV-DNA-negative patients. These results demonstrate the existence of a subgroup of patients with anti-HBe-positive, HBV-DNA-negative, HDV-negative chronic hepatitis B, where HCV may play a leading role in causing liver disease.