The impact of HIV therapy on co-infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses

Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2001 Dec;14(6):749-55. doi: 10.1097/00001432-200112000-00014.

Abstract

Improving survival for people with HIV has brought management of co-morbidities into focus. In the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, co-infection with either hepatitis B virus and/or hepatitis C virus, and HIV therapies themselves, have increased liver disease-related morbidity and mortality. The dual anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis B activity of several established and emerging therapeutic agents provides the opportunity to both restore immune function and prevent liver disease progression in people with HIV-hepatitis B virus co-infection. Improving hepatitis C antiviral therapy also provides optimism around management of liver disease in people with HIV-hepatitis C virus co-infection. However, formulation of appropriate therapeutic strategies for HIV-hepatitis B and HIV-hepatitis C co-infection requires further research, including clinical trials of combination antiviral therapy with specific anti-hepatitis B and anti-hepatitis C activity. A possible role may also exist for combined antiviral and immune-based therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active* / adverse effects
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Ribavirin / therapeutic use
  • Viremia / drug therapy

Substances

  • Lamivudine
  • Ribavirin