Abstract :
Background and Aims: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is an important endpoint in
the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The aim of this retrospective longitudinal study was to evaluate
HBsAg kinetics and HBsAg clearance rates in HIV-HBV co-infected patients receiving tenofovir (TDF)-containing
antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Methods: A total of 102 Thai patients with HIV-HBV co-infection were recruited. Rates of HBsAg
clearance and longitudinal changes in HBsAg levels were performed.
Results: At baseline, 55 (54%) and 47 (46.1%) patients were classified as HBeAg-positive and HBeAgnegative
CHB, respectively. Over a median follow-up of 97 months, HBsAg declined steadily in >75% of patients
receiving ART and 11 (10.8%) patients achieved HBsAg clearance. HBsAg clearance was significantly associated
with HBeAg seroconversion, rapid HBsAg decline and HBsAg kinetic pattern, but was not related to baseline
levels of ALT, HBV DNA, HBsAg and CD4 counts.
Conclusions: Long-term TDF therapy could lead to a significant decline in HBsAg levels in patients
with HIV-HBV co-infection, particularly those with HBsAg clearance. Monitoring HBsAg levels may help identify
patients who might have a high probability in clearing HBsAg on long-term ART therapy.
|
file/Thai-Journal-of-gastroenterology-vol-16-no-2-3800301.pdf