Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
04:11

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA

Published on: December 15, 2023

Comparative risk of liver-related mortality from chronic hepatitis B versus chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia1, Eric C Seaberg, Charles R Rinaldo

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 21287, USA. ofalade1@jhmi.edu

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|April 24, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) increases liver-related mortality risk more than chronic hepatitis C (CH-C). This risk is particularly high in HIV-infected men with compromised immune systems.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The comparative risk of liver-related mortality between chronic hepatitis B (CH-B) and chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) is not well-established.
  • This study investigated liver mortality differences between CH-B and CH-C patients within the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare liver-related mortality rates in men with CH-B versus CH-C.
  • To assess the impact of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coinfection on liver mortality risk.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of 680 men (337 CH-B, 343 CH-C) in the MACS until March 2010.
  • Mortality data analyzed using Poisson regression, adjusting for confounders and competing risks.
  • Cause of death determined via death registry matching and certificates.

Main Results:

  • Overall liver-related mortality was 7.6 per 1000 person-years.
  • CH-B patients had a significantly higher liver-related mortality rate (9.6 per 1000 PYs) than CH-C patients (5.0 per 1000 PYs).
  • In HIV-1 infected men, CH-B was associated with a 2.2-fold increased risk of liver death (P=.03), with lower CD4 counts (<200) amplifying this risk.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic hepatitis B poses a greater risk of liver disease mortality compared to chronic hepatitis C.
  • HIV-1 coinfection and significant immunosuppression (CD4 <200 cells/mm3) substantially elevate liver mortality risk in CH-B patients.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma12:24

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: September 30, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow

Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...