Liver Fibrosis by Transient Elastography and Virologic Outcomes After Introduction of Tenofovir in Lamivudine-Experienced Adults With HIV and Hepatitis B Virus Coinfection in Ghana. (28th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stockdale, Alexander J.; Phillips, Richard Odame; Beloukas, Apostolos; Appiah, Lambert Tetteh; Chadwick, David; Bhagani, Sanjay; Bonnett, Laura; Sarfo, Fred Stephen; Dusheiko, Geoffrey; Geretti, Anna Maria
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 61:Number 6(2015:Sep. 15)
• Page Start: 883
• Page End: 891
• Publication Date: 2015-05-28
• Subjects: hepatitis B -- lamivudine -- tenofovir -- transient elastography -- Africa; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ421
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract : Human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis B virus (HBV)–coinfected patients on long-term lamivudine-containing antiretroviral therapy demonstrated suboptimal HIV and HBV suppression, with lamivudine resistance and evidence of liver fibrosis by transient elastography. Both HBV DNA load and liver stiffness measurements declined after introduction of tenofovir. Abstract: Background. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs in sub-Saharan Africa have for many years included lamivudine as the sole hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibitor. Long-term outcomes and the effects of introducing tenofovir as part of ART in these populations have not been characterized. Methods. The study comprised a cross-sectional analysis of 106 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/HBV–coinfected subjects maintained on lamivudine, as well as a prospective analysis of 76 lamivudine-experienced subjects who introduced tenofovir. Patients underwent assessment of liver fibrosis by transient elastography (TE) and testing to characterize HIV type 1 (HIV-1) and HBV replication. Results. After a median of 45 months of lamivudine treatment, HIV-1 RNA and HBV DNA were detectable in 35 of 106 (33.0%) and 54 of 106 (50.9%) subjects, respectively, with corresponding drug resistance rates of 17 of 106 (16.0%) and 31 of 106 (29.2%), respectively. Median TE values were 5.7 kPa (interquartile range, 4.7–7.2 kPa) and independently associated with HBV DNA load, aspartate aminotransferase levels, and platelet counts; 13 of 106 (12.3%) subjects had TE measurements >9.4 kPa. Twelve months after the first assessment, and a median of 7.8 months after introducing tenofovir, HBV DNA levels declined by a mean of 1.5 log10 IU/mL ( P < .001). TE values changed by a mean of −0.2 kPa ( P = .097), and declined significantly in subjects who had pretenofovir HBV DNA levels >2000 IU/mL (mean, −0.8 kPa; P = .048) or TE values >7.6 kPa (mean, −1.2 kPa; P = .021). HIV-1 RNA detection rates remained unchanged. Conclusions. A proportion of HIV/HBV-coinfected patients on long-term lamivudine-containing ART had poor HIV and HBV suppression, drug resistance, and TE values indicative of advanced liver fibrosis. Tenofovir improved HBV control and reduced liver stiffness in subjects with high HBV DNA load and TE values.