Chronic hepatitis B in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus in Japan: a retrospective multicenter analysis

Comorbidities and co-medications among 28 089 people living with HIV: A nationwide cohort study from 2009 to 2019 in Japan

OBJECTIVES

Comorbidities are associated with a high burden of disease in people living with HIV (PLWH). The objective was to investigate the prevalence of chronic comorbidities and use of co-medications in PLWH in Japan.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analysed clinical information from PLWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) between April 2009 and March 2019. Demographic characteristics, numbers and types of chronic comorbidities, and numbers and types of non-ART co-medications, were described by age groups. The source of data was the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB).

RESULTS

Overall, 28 089 PLWH (male 91.9%) who used ART were identified. Out of 28 089 PLWH, 81.5% had at least one chronic comorbidity. The numbers of AIDS-defining cancers and non-AIDS-defining cancers in this Japanese cohort were 2432 (8.7%) and 2485 (8.8%), respectively. The cumulative burden of comorbidities including non-AIDS-defining cancer increased with age. Changes in trend between 2009 and 2019 were observed, including a higher proportion of PLWH diagnosed at ≥ 70 years old [2019 (4.7%) vs. 2009 (2.4%)] and a decreasing percentage of patients with AIDS-defining cancers (down from 6.3% to 4.8% between 2009 and 2019). The most common co-medications during the most recent 3-month period were lipid-regulating/anti-atheroma preparations (11.3%), antacids, antiflatulents and anti-ulcerants (9.6%), and agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system (8.1%). The three most common therapeutic categories of co-medications during the study period were antacids, antiflatulents and anti-ulcerants (35.0%), systemic antihistamines (33.7%) and psycholeptics (27.1%). More than 30% of PLWH aged > 40 years used at least one co-medication in a 3-month period, while more than half of PLWH aged > 30 years had at least one co-medication prescribed concomitantly for a total of ≥ 90 days during the study period, and the numbers of co-medications used were greater in the older age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of chronic comorbidities and co-medication were found to be greater in older, as compared to younger patients, among 28 089 PLWH in a nationwide study in Japan. This finding suggests the need to identify elderly PLWH and to appropriately manage their HIV and comorbidities.

Long-term follow-up of a Japanese patient with hepatitis B virus genotype H and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes affect the pathogenesis of disease progression during the course of HBV infection. In Japan, HBV genotype H is one of the rare HBV genotypes. We recovered HBV genotype H from a blood sample from a Japanese HIV-infected patient with acute exacerbation of chronic HBV infection. Due to the development of drugs for treating HBV and HIV, HBV genotype H and HIV coinfection has been well controlled by nucleos(t)ide analogs and highly active antiretroviral therapy, respectively, from 2002 to 2019. Further study is needed with regard to HBV genotype H and its pathogenesis.

Comorbidities and the use of comedications in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Japan: a cross-sectional study using a hospital claims database

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of chronic comorbidities and the use of comedications in people living with HIV (PLWH) and on antiretrovirals in Japan, by using a hospital claims database.

DESIGN

Observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A hospital claims database of Japanese hospitals that have advanced medical treatment capabilities (ie, advanced treatment hospitals, general hospitals, acute care hospitals), which include those providing acute and chronic care (excluding nursing homes or hospices).

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1445 PLWH aged ≥18 years and with a prescription record of antiretrovirals between January 2010 and December 2015 were identified from the database.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The number and types of chronic comorbidities, as well as the number and types of comedications, in different age groups of the PLWH.

RESULTS

The median (range) age of patients was 45 (18-90) years, and 90.4% were men. Of the 1445 patients, 972 (67.3%) had at least one chronic comorbidity. Common chronic comorbidities included lipid disorders (31.6%), diabetes (26.8%), hypertension (18.2%) and hepatitis B/C coinfection (18.2%). Patients in the older age groups had greater numbers of chronic comorbidities. The most common chronic comorbidities in the older age groups were hypertension, diabetes and lipid disorders. The majority of patients used at least one comedication, and those in the older age groups used greater numbers of comedications. The most common therapeutic category of comedication included antacids, antiflatulents and antiulcerants (31.7%). Of 151 malignancies reported in 117 patients, 84 were AIDS-defining cancers and 67 were non-AIDS-defining cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic comorbidities and comedications were common among PLWH in Japan taking antiretrovirals; particularly among older patients, who more frequently used comedications. This suggests the need for giving special attention to the appropriate management of this patient population.

HIV-hepatitis B virus coinfection: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment

: HIV infection has a significant impact on the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with increased levels of HBV DNA, accelerated progression of liver disease and increased liver-associated mortality compared with HBV monoinfection. Widespread uptake and early initiation of HBV-active antiretroviral therapy has substantially improved the natural history of HIV-HBV coinfection but the prevalence of liver disease remains elevated in this population. In this paper, we review recent studies examining the natural history and pathogenesis of liver disease and seroconversion in HIV-HBV coinfection in the era of HBV-active antiretroviral therapy and the effects of HIV directly on liver disease. We also review novel therapeutics for the management of HBV with a particular emphasis on clinical strategies being developed for an HBV cure and an HIV cure and their impact on HIV-HBV coinfected individuals.

Human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B genotype G/A2 recombinant co-infection: a case study

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes have distinct geographical distributions and are associated with different clinical courses. HBV genotype G (HBV/G) is extremely rare among Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected populations in Japan. Genetic analysis and clinical course of recombinant forms with HBV/G infection are seldom reported in the literature.

Case presentation

A 36-year old homosexual man with HIV infection was referred to a general hospital for assessment of chronic HBV infection. We cloned full-length HBV isolates and determined the complete genome sequences of 2 obtained clones, although mixture of multiple variant with different length is detected by HBV-DNA genotyping. The Bootscaning analysis using a full-length HBV genome revealed the clones represented as the HBV/A2 and the HBV/G/A2 recombinant strain. The HBV-DNA decreased from >9.1 to 2.5 log copies/mL after 24 months of antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusions

This patient was co-infected with HBV/A2 and HBV/G/A2 recombinant strain. This recombinant strain was not identical to HBV/G/A2 strains previously reported from Japan. Recombination with other genotypes could alter the clinical manifestations of chronic hepatitis B in people living with HIV.

Virological characteristics of hepatitis B genotype G/A2 recombination virus in Japan

AIM

We identified four cases of infection with hepatitis B virus genotype G and A2 recombinant (HBV/G/A2) strains, which were initially overlooked by enzyme immunoassay-based genotyping. The patients were all men who have sex with men (MSM) and inhabited several metropolitan areas of Japan, suggesting that the recombinant strains may be circulating among high-risk groups such as MSM. Here, we investigated the genomic structure and virological properties of the HBV/G/A2 strains.

METHODS

Complete genome sequences of the isolates were determined and phylogenetically analyzed. Replication efficiency of HBV/G/A2 was investigated by transfecting plasmids containing 1.24-fold viral genome. The in vivo viral kinetics of HBV/G/A2 were investigated using chimeric mice with humanized livers.

RESULTS

Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the four strains were almost identical (>99.7% homologous). The preS2/S region of these strains was highly homologous to that of genotype A2 and the remaining region was almost identical to that of genotype G, reflecting inter-genotypic recombination. Interestingly, in all four cases, genotype A was co-infected as a minor population. In vitro analysis revealed that HBV/G/A2 had a low replication rate. Although detectable viremia was not measurable following the inoculation of HBV/G/A2 into chimeric mice, subsequent superinfection of HBV genotype A greatly enhanced HBV/G/A2 replication and viral spread.

CONCLUSION

We found that four cases of HBV/G/A2 recombinant among MSM patients in the metropolitan areas of Japan, and HBV/A co-infections are required for its efficient replication. High-risk groups such as MSM should be carefully tested for infection of genotype G-derived variants.

Viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus co-infections in Asia

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affect many people in Asian countries, although there are geographic differences. Both HBV and HIV (HBV/HIV) and HCV/HIV co-infections are highly prevalent in Asia. Hetero- and homosexual, injection drug use, and geographic area are strong predictors of HBV, HCV, and HIV serostatus. In HBV endemic regions, the prevalence and genotype distribution of HBV/HIV co-infection is almost comparable with that in the general population. In Japan, where HBV has low endemicity, the prevalence of HBV/HIV co-infection is approximately 10-fold higher than that in the general population, and HBV Ae is the most common subgenotype among HIV infected individuals. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is an effective treatment for HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Lamivudine, a component of HAART, is an effective treatment for HBV, HIV, and HBV/HIV co-infection; however, cost, emerging drug resistance, antiretroviral-associated liver toxicity and liver-related morbidity due to HCV progression are particular concerns. HCV/HIV co-infection may accelerate the clinical progression of both HCV and HIV. The high prevalence of HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV co-infections in Asia underscores the need to improve prevention and control measures, as fewer evidence-based prevention strategies are available (compared with Western countries). In this review, the most recent publications on the prevalence of HBV/HIV and HCV/HIV co-infections and related issues, such as therapy and problems in Asia, are updated and summarized.

The kinetics of the hepatitis B surface antigen level after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy for hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus coinfected patients

BACKGROUND

Hepatic flares (HF), which reflect hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), frequently occur in patients with HBV and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection after the start of antiretoroviral therapy (ART). The rate of hepatitis B envelope antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is higher for patients with HF after the initiation of ART.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined the kinetics of the HBsAg and HBeAg levels of six HBV/HIV coinfected patients after the commencement of ART that included tenofovir. All were male and HBeAg positive.

RESULTS

Three patients developed HF after the initiation of ART. All subsequently lost HBeAg and one of them lost HBsAg after HF. None who did not experience HF lost HBeAg. The HBsAg and HBeAg levels remarkably decreased when HF occurred, but the decline of HBsAg was very slow in the periods before and after HF. The median decline of the HBsAg level at 48 weeks was 2.20 Log IU/mL for patients with HF, but only 1.00 Log IU/ml for patients without HF. Little decline was seen for either group in the median decline of the HBsAg level from 48 weeks to 96 weeks, 0.28 Log IU/mL in the HF group and 0.06 Log IU/mL in the non-HF group.

CONCLUSION

The immune reconstitution of a HBV/HIV coinfected patient plays an important role in the clearance of HBV. If HBsAg and HBeAg levels decrease rapidly when HF occurs, the hepatic flare would be due to HBV-related IRIS.

HIV and noncommunicable diseases: the Asian perspective

Asia is seeing a rise in noncommunicable diseases in their general population and among people living with HIV. Many Asians have low body weight, which can lead to higher plasma concentrations of antiretrovirals and, as a result, their toxicities. Examples are metabolic complications from protease inhibitors, chronic kidney disease from tenofovir, and hepatotoxicity from nevirapine. Asia has not only the highest burden of hepatitis B viral infection than any other continent but also a predominance of genotypes B and C, the latter associated with higher risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders are equally common among Asians as other populations. Diastolic dysfunction and asymptomatic myocardial ischemia are not infrequent. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common AIDS-related cancer, whereas Kaposi sarcoma is relatively infrequent. Emerging data show high prevalence of human papillomavirus-associated anal dysplasia in men who have sex with men. Resource-limited countries in Asia suffer from lack of resources for national screening programs of noncommunicable diseases, which, in turn, limits the epidemiologic data that exist to guide the use of national health resources.

Clinical features of adult patients with acute hepatitis B virus infection progressing to chronic infection

Background. Information regarding the progression of acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection to chronic infection in adults is scarce. Methods. Twenty-five adult patients with acute HBV infection (14 men and 11 women, 18-84 years old), whose clinical features progressed to those of chronic infection (group A) or did not (group B), were studied retrospectively. Results. There were 3 and 22 patients in groups A and B, respectively. Two of the 3 patients of group A lacked the typical symptoms of acute hepatitis. No differences were found between groups with respect to age, sex, or HBV genotypes. However, total bilirubin and alanine aminotransaminase levels were significantly lower in group A. Conclusions. Three of the 25 adult patients with acute HBV infection progressed to chronic infection. Hepatitis was mild in these patients. Patients with mild acute hepatitis B or unapparent HBV infection may have a higher risk of progressing to chronic infection.