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Author Spotlight: Advancements and Challenges in Hepatitis B Virus Detection
Published on: December 15, 2023
Clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with hepatitis B virus infection - a retrospective study
Rui Liu1, Li Zhao2, Xiaoming Cheng3
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Insights
Coinfection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) did not worsen COVID-19 outcomes but caused temporary immune and liver function disturbances. Management of these coinfected patients requires caution.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, is a global pandemic.
- Extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 include immune dysregulation and liver injury.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent, particularly in China.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfection in patients.
- To assess the clinical outcomes and host immune/hepatic function in coinfected individuals.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples from 50 SARS-CoV-2/HBV coinfected patients, 56 SARS-CoV-2 mono-infected patients, 57 chronic HBV patients, and 57 healthy controls.
- Performed complete blood counts, serum biochemistry panels (liver function markers), and cytokine analysis (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10).
- Quantified T cell, B cell, and NK cell counts using flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 outcomes were not significantly affected by SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfection.
- Coinfected patients exhibited more severe monocytopenia and thrombocytopenia at COVID-19 onset.
- Disturbances in albumin production and lipid metabolism were observed in coinfected patients, largely reversing post-recovery.
Conclusions:
- Chronic HBV infection does not predispose COVID-19 patients to severe outcomes.
- SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfection leads to greater host function dysregulation during COVID-19 onset.
- Cautious management is recommended for patients with SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfection.
Background & Aims:
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a pandemic. Although COVID-19 is caused by infection in the respiratory tract, extrapulmonary manifestations including dysregulation of the immune system and hepatic injury have been observed. Given the high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in China, we sought to study the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and HBV coinfection in patients.
Methods:
Blood samples of 50 SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfected patients, 56 SARS-CoV-2 mono-infected patients, 57 HBeAg-negative chronic HBV patient controls and 57 healthy controls admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were collected in this study. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry panels including markers indicative of liver functions were performed. Cytokines including IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 were evaluated. T cell, B cell and NK cell counts were measured using flow cytometry.
Results:
SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfection did not significantly affect the outcome of the COVID-19. However, at the onset of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfected patients showed more severe monocytopenia and thrombocytopenia as well as more disturbed hepatic function in albumin production and lipid metabolism. Most of the disarrangement could be reversed after recovery from COVID-19.
Conclusions:
While chronic HBV infection did not predispose COVID-19 patients to more severe outcomes, our data suggest SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfection poses a higher extent of dysregulation of host functions at the onset of COVID-19. Thus, caution needs to be taken with the management of SARS-CoV-2 and HBV coinfected patients.
