Association of hepatitis B Core-related antigen and antihepatitis B core antibody with liver fibrosis evolution in human immunodeficiency virus-hepatitis B virus coinfected patients during treatment with tenofovir

Romuald Cruchet, Lorenza N.C. Dezanet, Sarah Maylin, Audrey Gabassi, Hayette Rougier, Patrick Miailhes, Caroline Lascoux-Combe, Julie Chas, Pierre Marie Girard, Constance Delaugerre, Karine Lacombe, Anders Boyd

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Abstract

Background. Quantitative hepatitis B core-related antigen (qHBcrAg) or antihepatitis B core antibody (qAnti-HBc) could be useful in monitoring liver fibrosis evolution during chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, yet it has not been assessed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-HBV-coinfected patients undergoing treatment with tenofovir (TDF). Methods. One hundred fifty-four HIV-HBV-infected patients initiating a TDF-containing antiretroviral regimen were prospectively followed. The qHBcrAg and qAnti-HBc and liver fibrosis assessment were collected every 6-12 months during TDF. Hazard ratios (HRs) assessing the association between qHBcrAg/qAnti-HBc and transitions from none/mild/significant fibrosis to advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis (progression) and from advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis to none/mild/significant fibrosis (regression) were estimated using a time-homogeneous Markov model. Results. At baseline, advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis was observed in 40 (26%) patients. During a median follow-up of 48 months (interquartile range, 31-90), 38 transitions of progression (IR = 7/100 person-years) and 34 transitions of regression (IR = 6/100 person-years) were observed. Baseline levels of qHBcrAg and qAnti-HBc were not associated with liver fibrosis progression (adjusted-HR per log10 U/mL = 1.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93-1.24; adjusted-HR per log10 Paul-Ehrlich-Institute [PEI] U/mL = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.70-1.04, respectively) or regression (adjusted-HR per log10 U/mL = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.95-1.46; adjusted-HR per log10 PEI U/mL = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.78-1.22, respectively) after adjusting for age, gender, duration of antiretroviral therapy, protease inhibitor-containing antiretroviral therapy, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio. Nevertheless, changes from the previous visit of qAnti-HBc levels were associated with liver fibrosis regression (adjusted-HR per log10 PEIU/ mL change = 5.46, 95% CI = 1.56-19.16). Conclusions. Baseline qHBcrAg and qAnti-HBc levels are not associated with liver fibrosis evolution in TDF-treated HIVHBV coinfected patients. The link between changes in qAnti-HBc levels during follow-up and liver fibrosis regression merits further study.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberofaa215
JournalOpen forum infectious diseases
Volume7
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Antihepatitis B core antibody
  • Cirrhosis
  • Hepatitis B core-related antigen
  • Human immunodeficiency virus
  • Liver fibrosis

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