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Published on: December 15, 2023
Prevalence of Hepatitis B Co-Infection among HIV Positive Patients: Narrative Review Article
Azam Askari1, Hamid Hakimi1, Behzad Nasiri Ahmadabadi1
11. Immunology of Infectious Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences , Rafsanjan, Iran.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is common. This review analyzes global HBV prevalence in HIV-positive individuals to guide effective treatment strategies for this significant health concern.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of liver disease, affecting millions worldwide.
- Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) targets CD4+ T cells, impairing cellular and humoral immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze global prevalence of hepatitis B in HIV-positive patients.
- To understand the scope of HBV/HIV co-infection for therapeutic planning.
- To highlight the importance of studying co-infection epidemiology.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of recent and relevant studies.
- Analysis of global data on HBV prevalence in HIV-positive populations.
- Literature search for epidemiological data on co-infection.
Main Results:
- HBV co-infection is a frequent complication in HIV-positive patients.
- Co-transmission of HBV and HIV is common.
- Prevalence data is crucial for effective management strategies.
Conclusions:
- Investigating HBV prevalence in HIV patients is essential.
- Effective therapeutic strategies require understanding co-infection rates.
- Global data analysis informs public health interventions for viral co-infections.
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most prevalent viral infection and is among the leading causes of human liver diseases. Nearly 360 millions of people are world widely infected with prolonged forms of hepatitis B including active and inactive chronic forms. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients suffering from congenital and/or acquired immunodeficiency and also following immunosuppressive therapy. The target cell of human acquired immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is CD4 positive T cells. These cells play central role(s) in both cellular and humoral immunity so that the HIV attack of CD4 positive T cells causes suppression of both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. One of the frequent complications in HIV positive patients is HBV co-infection and as a result, the co-transmission of these viral diseases is common. Due to the paramount importance of the co-infection of HBV and HIV, it is noteworthy to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B in these patients for planning of an effective therapeutic strategy. Based on these considerations, the main aim of this review article was to collect and analyze the recent and relevant studies regarding the prevalence rate of hepatitis B co-infection among HIV positive patients world widely.
