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Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
Published on: November 7, 2018
18.4K
Hepatitis C virus/Hepatitis B virus coinfection: Current prospectives
Quratulain Maqsood1, Aleena Sumrin1, Maryam Iqbal1
1Centre for Applied Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Antiviral Therapy
|July 25, 2023
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection increases liver disease risk. Direct-acting antivirals improve sustained virologic response (SVR) in coinfection, with lower HBV reactivation risk than older treatments.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection is prevalent in endemic areas.
- Coinfection elevates risks for severe liver conditions, including hepatocellular carcinoma, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
- HCV typically predominates, suppressing HBV replication through viral proteins and host interferon responses, leading to immunosuppression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complex interactions between HCV and HBV in coinfected patients.
- To evaluate treatment strategies and outcomes for HCV/HBV coinfection.
- To identify reliable biomarkers for predicting HBV reactivation during and after therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of treatment approaches for HCV/HBV coinfection, distinguishing between HCV-dominant and HBV-dominant cases.
- Analysis of treatment efficacy, including sustained virologic response (SVR) rates with different antiviral therapies.
- Investigation of viral reactivation risks and biomarker utility for predicting reactivation.
Main Results:
- Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs demonstrate higher SVR rates in HCV/HBV coinfection compared to monoinfection.
- HCV/HBV coinfected patients treated with DAAs exhibit a lower risk of HBV reactivation than those treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) titre is identified as the sole reliable biomarker for predicting HBV reactivation, while other HBV markers are ineffective.
Conclusions:
- Treatment of HCV/HBV coinfection requires a genotype-based approach due to viral interactions.
- DAAs represent an effective treatment option for HCV/HBV coinfection, offering improved outcomes and reduced reactivation risks.
- Close monitoring and understanding of HBV reactivation, particularly using HBsAg titres, are crucial during and after antiviral therapy.
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