Very Low Prevalence and No Clinical Significance of Occult Hepatitis B in a Cohort of HIV-Infected Patients with Isolated Anti-HBc Seropositivity: The BHOI Study
- 1 October 2008
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Informa UK Limited in HIV Research & Clinical Practice
- Vol. 9 (5), 337-340
- https://doi.org/10.1310/hct0905-337
Abstract
Purpose: Data on occult HBV infection in HIV patients are conflicting. We aimed to analyse the prevalence and clinical significance of occult hepatitis B in HIV-infected subjects. Method: An open-label, cross-sectional, multicentre study including all subjects with isolated anti-HBc seropositivity from a cohort of 3,030 HIV-infected patients was undertaken. HBsAg and HBsAb were both negative in all cases, and those patients with acute or convalescent hepatitis B were excluded. HBV DNA was quantified by PCR with a detection limit of 20 IU/mL. Results: We found 5 cases (2.5%) of occult hepatitis B among 202 HIV-patients with isolated anti-HBc. The mean HBV DNA was 66 (15–112) IU/mL, none had symptomatic hepatitis, and their features, including aminotransferase levels, were similar to those without occult HBV infection. Conclusions: Occult hepatitis due to HBV is very unusual in HIV-positive patients with isolated anti-HBc. The use of standard regimens of HAART including drugs with activity against HBV might underestimate the prevalence of occult HBV infection. These patients had a very low viral load, no identifiable risk factors, and no greater risk of hypertransaminasaemia or the development of symptomatic hepatitis.Keywords
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