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European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines for the clinical management and treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C coinfection in HIV-infected adults
Article first published online: 31 JAN 2008
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2007.00535.x
© 2008 British HIV Association
Additional Information
How to Cite
Rockstroh, J., Bhagani, S., Benhamou, Y., Bruno, R., Mauss, S., Peters, L., Puoti, M., Soriano, V., Tural, C. and the EACS Executive Committee (2008), European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines for the clinical management and treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C coinfection in HIV-infected adults. HIV Medicine, 9: 82–88. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2007.00535.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 31 JAN 2008
- Article first published online: 31 JAN 2008
- Received: 9 November 2007, accepted 15 November 2007
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- coinfection;
- EACS;
- hepatitis;
- HIV
Objectives
With the decline in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), liver disease has emerged as a major cause of death in HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected persons. Therefore, screening for underlying viral hepatitis coinfection and the provision of management and treatment recommendations for patients with chronic viral hepatitis are of great importance in preventing, as far as possible, the development of liver disease. With the introduction of new agents for the treatment of hepatitis B and increased knowledge of how best to manage hepatitis C, an update of current guidelines for management of HBV and HCV coinfection with HIV is warranted.
Summary
Clearly, all HIV-infected patients should be screened for hepatitis A, B and C, taking into account shared pathways of transmission. Patients who are seronegative for hepatitis A and B should be considered for vaccination. In HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis B, the first important differentiation is whether HAART is required or not. In the setting of stable HIV infection, with no need for HAART, several treatment options are available, namely treatment with interferon, early initiation of HAART, or selective non-HIV active anti-HBV nucleoside therapy, with the aim of achieving undetectable HBV DNA levels. In most cases, undetectable HBV DNA can only be achieved with combination therapy.
With regard to hepatitis C, individualized tailoring of the duration of HCV therapy is advisable, taking into account rapid or delayed virological response. In patients who do not achieve at least a 2 log drop in HCV RNA at week 12, treatment can be terminated because of the low probability of achieving sustained virological response. Overall, with the currently available treatment algorithms, HCV can be eradicated in over 50% of patients. Therefore, HCV therapy should be considered and discussed with the patient if an indication for HCV therapy (elevated liver enzymes, positive HCV RNA and >F1 fibrosis) is present.
Conclusions
Management of underlying hepatitis B and/or C in patients with HIV infection is of great importance in preventing liver disease-associated morbidity and mortality.