HIV infection and hepatic enzyme abnormalities: intricacies of the pathogenic mechanisms

Lipid metabolic reprogramming of hepatic CD4+ T cells during SIV infection

While liver inflammation is associated with AIDS, little is known so far about hepatic CD4+ T cells. By using the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaque (RM) model, we aimed to characterize CD4+ T cells. The phenotype of CD4+ T cells was assessed by flow cytometry from uninfected (n = 3) and infected RMs, with either SIVmac251 (n = 6) or SHIVSF162p3 (n = 6). After cell sorting of hepatic CD4+ T cells, viral DNA quantification and RNA sequencing were performed.Thus, we demonstrated that liver CD4+ T cells strongly expressed the SIV coreceptor, CCR5. We showed that viremia was negatively correlated with the percentage of hepatic effector memory CD4+ T cells. Consistent with viral sensing, inflammatory and interferon gene transcripts were increased. We also highlighted the presence of harmful CD4+ T cells expressing GZMA and members of TGFB that could contribute to fuel inflammation and fibrosis. Whereas RNA sequencing demonstrated activated CD4+ T cells displaying higher levels of mitoribosome and membrane lipid synthesis transcripts, few genes were related to glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, which are essential to sustain activated T cells. Furthermore, we observed lower levels of mitochondrial DNA and higher levels of genes associated with damaged organelles (reticulophagy and mitophagy). Altogether, our data revealed that activated hepatic CD4+ T cells are reprogrammed to lipid metabolism. Thus, strategies aiming to reprogram T cell metabolism with effector function could be of interest for controlling viral infection and preventing liver disorders.IMPORTANCEHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may cause liver diseases, associated with inflammation and tissue injury, contributing to comorbidity in people living with HIV. Paradoxically, the contribution of hepatic CD4+ T cells remains largely underestimated. Herein, we used the model of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus macaques to access liver tissue. Our work demonstrates that hepatic CD4+ T cells express CCR5, the main viral coreceptor, and are infected. Viral infection is associated with the presence of inflamed and activated hepatic CD4+ T cells expressing cytotoxic molecules. Furthermore, hepatic CD4+ T cells are reprogrammed toward lipid metabolism after SIV infection. Altogether, our findings shed new light on hepatic CD4+ T cell profile that could contribute to liver injury following viral infection.

The impact of the 2014 Ebola epidemic on HIV disease burden and outcomes in Liberia West Africa

BACKGROUND

Detailed longitudinal studies of HIV-positive individuals in West Africa are lacking. Here the HIV prevalence, incidence, all-cause mortality, and the proportion of individuals receiving treatment with cART in two cohorts of participants in Ebola-related studies are described.

SETTING

Individuals of all ages were enrolled and followed at four sites in the area of Monrovia, Liberia.

METHODS

Two cohorts identified in response to the Ebola epidemic are described to provide insights into the current state of the HIV epidemic. HIV testing was performed at baseline for participants in both cohorts and during follow-up in one cohort.

RESULTS

Prevalence and incidence of HIV (prevalence of 3.1% for women and 1.4% for men and incidence of 3.3 per 1,000) were higher in these cohorts compared to 2018 national estimates (prevalence of 1.3% and incidence of 0.39 per 1,000). Most participants testing positive did not know their status prior to testing. Of those who knew they were HIV positive, 7.9% reported being on antiretroviral treatment. The death rate among those with HIV was 12.3% compared to 1.9% in HIV-negative individuals (adjusted odds ratio of 6.87). While higher levels of d-dimer were associated with increased mortality, this was not specific to those with HIV, however lower hemoglobin levels were associated with increased mortality among those with HIV.

CONCLUSION

These findings point to a need to perform further research studies aimed at fulfilling these knowledge gaps and address current shortcomings in the provision of care for those living with HIV in Liberia.

Effect of Azadirachta indica and Senna siamea Decoction on CD4+ and CD8+ Level, Toxicological, and Antioxidant Profile in HIV/AIDS Positive Persons

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a major public health problem affecting several countries with predominance in black Africa. Faced with therapeutic failure caused by resistance and supply disruptions, searching for other antiretroviral agents, in particular from natural sources, becomes necessary. Given popular consumption of Azadirachta indica and Senna siamea decoction in the Northern Cameroon region and the traditionally attributed antiretroviral value, information on its efficacy and safety consumption is relevant to confirm its use. A total of 297 participants aged 18-52 and HIV-positive were recruited and divided into 3 groups: one taking only the decoction (group 1), another taking only antiretroviral therapy (ARTs) (group 2), and finally, one taking the decoction and antiretroviral (group 3). During 6 months, all the participants of the concerned groups consumed daily (morning and evening) 250 mL of Azadirachta indica and Senna siamea decoction. CD4+ and CD8+ levels were measured by flow cytometry. Hepatic and renal toxicity and oxidative stress were evaluated spectrophotometrically by measuring ALT, AST, ALP, BUN, CREAT, SOD, CAT, and GSH parameters. We note an increase in the CD4+ level of the three groups with values much more pronounced in the group treated by ARTs + decoction, from 328 ± 106 to 752 ± 140. Group 2 presented not only biological signs of hepatic and renal toxicity but also significant oxidative stress. No signs of toxicity were detected in the other groups. The study concludes that a decoction of Azadirachta indica and Senna siamea stimulates the production of CD4+ and is not toxic. On the contrary, it would reduce the toxicity caused by ARTs intake.

Incidence of Hepatotoxicity and Factors Associated During Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in People Living with HIV in Ethiopia: A Prospective Cohort Study

Introduction

Hepatotoxicity is one of the risk factors associated with treatment non-adherence, which is the main risk factor for drug resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of hepatotoxicity during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among people living with HIV in Ethiopia.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted between April 2007 and January 2011 at Saint Peter Specialized Hospital, Akaki and Kality Health Centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A total of 316 HIV-infected adult individuals (70 participants were HIV and TB co-infected and 246 were infected with HIV alone) were included in this study. The study participants were followed for a total of 18 months with or without HAART. Socio-demographic data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and venous blood samples were collected for laboratory tests. Logistic regression and Poisson regression were used to determine the independent effect of each variable on hepatotoxicity at baseline and end of follow-up.

Results

Of 316 HIV-infected people, 72 (22.8%) participants had an elevated ALT/AST which was 100% mild-to moderate hepatotoxicity at baseline. Baseline CD4 T-cell count (p = 0.027) and HIV co-infection with TB (p < 0.001) were independently associated with hepatotoxicity at baseline. The overall incidence rate of hepatotoxicity in participants on HAART (21.8 per 100 person-years) was lower than participants who were HAART naïve (33.3 per 100 person-years) (p = 0.009).

Conclusion

High incidence of mild-to-moderate hepatotoxicity and low severe hepatotoxicity were observed in HIV-infected individuals who were on HAART or were HAART naïve. HAART may minimize the occurrence of hepatotoxicity. Although HAART could minimize hepatotoxicity among HIV-infected people, to manage mild and moderate hepatotoxicity liver function test monitoring is required.

Determinants of Drug-Induced Hepatotoxicity Among Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Taking a High Dose of Rifapentine Plus Isoniazid Drugs at the All Africa Leprosy Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Purpose

The drugs for the treatment of latent Tuberculosis are potentially hepatotoxic and can lead to drug-induced hepatotoxicity. The current study aimed at identifying the determinants of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity among patients living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus taking Isoniazid and rifapentine at All Africa Leprosy Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods

An unmatched case-control study was conducted from March, 21, to April 21, 2020, at All Africa Leprosy Tuberculosis Rehabilitation and Training Center. A total of 65 cases and 130 controls were interviewed. Data were collected using a data extraction tool from clinical reporting forms, follow-up charts, and patients' logbooks. Binary and multiple logistic regressions were conducted to check the association between independent and dependent variables. Adjusted odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated to assess the strength of association. P-values <0.05 were used to declare statistical significance.

Results

The prevalence of anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity was 8%. Body mass index <18.5 Kg/m2 (AOR = 5.8 [95% CI: 2.2-8.9]), low CD4 count (AOR = 4.9 [95% CI: 1.6-15.8]), and the presence of comorbid illnesses (AOR = 3.9 [95% CI: 1.7-8.9]) were identified as independent predictors of drugs-induced hepatotoxicity among Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive patients taking Isoniazid and rifapentine.

Conclusion

The prevalence of anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity was higher compared to standard references. BMI<18 kg/m2, low CD4 count, and comorbid illness were positively associated with anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity among patients with HIV.

Circulating PCSK9 is associated with liver biomarkers and hepatic steatosis

BACKGROUND

In parallel to the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome, the prevalence of hepatic steatosis has also increased dramatically worldwide. Hepatic steatosis is a major risk factor of hepatic cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Circulating levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) have been positively associated with the metabolic syndrome. However, the association between PCSK9 and the liver function is still controversial.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to investigate the association between circulating PCSK9 levels and the presence of hepatic steatosis, as well as with liver biomarkers in a cohort of healthy individuals.

METHODS

Total PCSK9 levels were measured by an in-house ELISA using a polyclonal antibody. Plasma albumin, alkaline phosphatase, ALT, AST, total bilirubin and GGT were measured in 698 individuals using the COBAS system. The presence of hepatic steatosis was assessed using ultrasound liver scans.

RESULTS

In a multiple regression model adjusted for age, sex, insulin resistance, body mass index and alcohol use, circulating PCSK9 level was positively associated with albumin (β = 0.102, P = 0.008), alkaline phosphatase (β = 0.201, P < 0.0001), ALT (β = 0.238, P < 0.0001), AST (β = 0.120, P = 0.003) and GGT (β = 0.103, P = 0.007) and negatively associated with total bilirubin (β = -0.150, P < 0.0001). Tertile of circulating PCSK9 was also associated with hepatic steatosis (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05-2.08, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest a strong association between PCSK9 and liver biomarkers as well as hepatic steatosis. Further studies are needed to explore the role of PCSK9 on hepatic function.

Liver enzyme elevation in patients taking HAART compared with treatment naïve controls at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital: a comparative cross-sectional study, Northeast Ethiopia

Objective

HAART had significantly improved the quality of life of HIV patients. However, it results different adverse effects such as: hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, lipodystrophy, anemia, diarrhea, psychiatric disorder and others. Therefore, this comparative cross sectional study was designed to investigate liver enzyme elevation in patients taking HAART compared with treatment naïve controls at Debre Berhan Referral Hospital.

Result

A total of 152 individuals (76 cases and 76 controls) were included in this study. The mean ages of treatment and control groups were 37.37 and 36.38 respectively. The mean values of liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP), total bilirubin and direct bilirubin were significantly higher (p < 0.05) while, total protein and creatinine were significantly lower in patients taking HAART compared with treatment naïve controls. In this study, about 19 (25%) of clients in HAART treated groups and 7 (9.2%) of treatment naïve controls had showed liver enzyme changes. Moreover, 23.7% and 1.3% of the HAART treated groups developed mild and moderate liver enzyme elevation or hepatotoxicity, respectively. In this study, significant difference was observed in liver enzyme elevation between ART and pre-ART patients. As a result, regular clinical and laboratory monitoring of liver function will be necessary to prevent severe form of liver injury.

Clinical significance of elevated liver transaminases in HIV-infected patients

: Elevation of liver transaminases is common in patients infected with the HIV. Although this is usually an incidental finding during regular work-up, HIV-infected patients with transaminase elevations require additional visits for laboratory studies and clinical assessments, and often undergo interruptions and changes in antiretroviral therapy (ART). Alanine aminotransferase is present primarily in the liver, thus being a surrogate marker of hepatocellular injury. Aspartate aminotransferase is present in the liver and other organs, namely cardiac and skeletal muscle, kidney and brain. Serum levels of both liver transaminases predict liver-related mortality. Moreover, serum fibrosis biomarkers based on alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase predict all-cause mortality. In a busy clinical setting, a diagnostic approach to elevated liver transaminases could be complicated given the frequency and nonspecificity of this finding. Indeed, HIV-infected individuals present multiple risk factors for liver damage and chronic elevation of transaminases, including coinfection with hepatitis B and C viruses, alcohol abuse, hepatotoxicity due to ART, HIV itself and frequent metabolic comorbidities leading to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This review provides an update on epidemiology of elevated liver transaminases, summarizes the main etiologic contributors and discusses the prognostic significance and a pragmatic approach to this frequent finding in the clinical practice of HIV medicine. With the aging of the HIV-infected population following the successful implementation of ART in Western countries, liver-related conditions are now a major comorbidity in this setting. As such, clinicians should be aware of the frequency, clinical significance and diagnostic approach to elevated liver transaminases.

HIV-HBV and HIV-HCV Coinfection and Liver Cancer Development

Liver diseases that are caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), have become increasingly important in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as their life expectancy is getting longer with successful anti-HIV therapy. Due to their shared transmission routes, dual infection by HIV and HBV or HIV and HCV, and triple infection by all three viruses are fairly common and affect millions of people worldwide. Whereas the immunodeficiency caused by HIV enhances the likelihood of HBV and HCV persistence, hepatotoxicity associated with anti-HIV therapy can worsen the liver diseases associated with HBV or HCV persistence. Evidence suggests HIV infection increases the risk of HBV- or HCV-associated HCC risk although the precise mechanisms of enhanced hepatocarcinogenesis remain to be fully elucidated. Recent success in curing HCV infection, and the availability of therapeutic options effective in long-term suppression of both HIV and HBV replication, bring hope, fortunately, to those who are coinfected but also highlight the need for judicious selection of antiviral therapies.

Risk Factors for Alanine Aminotransferase Elevations in a Prospective Cohort of HIV-Infected Tanzanian Adults Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy

INTRODUCTION

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations are common among HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

APPROACH

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 3023 HIV-infected Tanzanian adults initiating cART. We assessed risk factors for mild/moderate ALT elevations >40 IU/L and severe ALT elevations >200 IU/L.

RESULTS

We found that over a median follow-up of 32.5 months (interquartile range: 19.4-41.5), 44.8% of participants had at least 1 incident ALT elevation >40 IU/L of which 50.1% were persistent elevations. Risk factors for incident ALT elevation >40 IU/L included male sex, CD4 count <100 cells/μL, d4T+3TC+NVP cART, and triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL (P values <.05). Hepatitis B coinfection and alcohol consumption increased the risk of severe ALT elevations >200 IU/L (P values: <.05).

CONCLUSION

Incident mild and moderate ALT elevations are common among Tanzanians initiating cART, and the clinical and demographic information can identify patients at increased risk.

Prevalence and predictors of liver disease in HIV-infected children and adolescents

Liver disease in HIV-infected patients may result from the infection itself, antiretroviral treatment or comorbidities. In this study, we analysed liver disease in 79 HIV-infected children and adolescents aged 14.0 ± 5.1 years. All the patients were receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), with a mean duration of 11.5 ± 4.7 years. Six patients (8%) had detectable HIV viral load, and 8/79 (10%) of the participants were coinfected with hepatitis B or C virus (HCV, 6/8 or HBV, 2/8). Liver disease was defined as an elevation of any of the following parameters: alanine or aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), total bilirubin, and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGTP). For the noninvasive evaluation of liver fibrosis, the AST-to-Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) were calculated. Liver disease was diagnosed in 20/79 (25%) of the patients, including 13/71 (18%) of participants without coinfection and 7/8 (88%) with coinfection (p < 0.0001). All of the liver markers except bilirubin were significantly higher in the coinfected group. APRI scores indicated significant fibrosis in 5/8 (63%) of patients with coinfection. HBV or HCV coinfection and detectable HIV viral load were independently positively associated with APRI (p = 0.0001, and p = 0.0001) and FIB-4 (p = 0.001, and p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, liver disease in HIV-infected children and adolescents results mainly from HBV or HCV coinfection. Effective antiretroviral treatment is protective against hepatic abnormalities.

Liver Fibrosis and Hepatitis B Coinfection among ART Naïve HIV-Infected Patients at a Tertiary Level Hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Liver fibrosis which is a common complication of chronic hepatitis B infection is rarely diagnosed in low-resource countries due to limited capacity to perform biopsy studies. Data on the utilization of noninvasive techniques which are feasible for diagnosis of liver fibrosis in these settings among HIV-infected patients is scarce. The objective of this study was to establish the magnitude of liver fibrosis by using both aspartate-aminotransferase-to-platelets ratio and fibrosis-4 scores with associated hepatitis B coinfection among antiretroviral therapy naïve HIV-infected patients.

Methods

We reviewed data of 743 adult patients attending HIV clinic with available hepatitis B surface antigen test results. Baseline clinical information was recorded and aspartate-aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio and fibrosis-4 scores were calculated. The cut-off values of 1.5 and 3.25 were used for diagnosis of significant fibrosis by aspartate-aminotransferase-to-platelets ratio and fibrosis-4 scores, respectively.

Results

The prevalence of liver fibrosis was 3.5% when aspartate-aminotransferase-to-platelet score was used and 4.6% with fibrosis-4 score and they were both significantly higher among patients with hepatitis B coinfection. Younger patients with HIV advanced disease and elevated liver transaminases had increased risk of having hepatitis B coinfection.

Conclusion

A remarkable number of HIV-infected patients present with liver fibrosis, predominantly those with hepatitis B infection.

Liver test abnormalities in patients with HIV mono-infection: assessment with simple noninvasive fibrosis markers

Background

Patients with HIV mono-infection may develop chronic liver disease due to a number of factors including hepatic steatosis. We estimated the prevalence and predictors of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in a cohort of HIV-mono-infected patients with persistently deranged liver function tests.

Methods

Of 2398 consecutive patients at one UK clinical center, 156 (6.5%) had persistently abnormal transaminases in at least two measurements six months apart. We used APRI and FIB4 scores to determine the presence of significant and/or advanced fibrosis in this group as well as its potential associations.

Results

Mean age was 47.5±8.5 years and 91% (142/156) were males. Diabetes mellitus was present in 11% of patients; hypertension in 18%; and dyslipidemia in 52%. Almost all were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (97%) and most were virologically suppressed (94%). Steatosis was detected by ultrasound in 71% of patients. The prevalence of FIB4≤1.45, 1.46-3.24 and >3.25 was 67%, 29% and 4%, respectively, and that of APRI≤0.5, 0.51-1.49 and >1.5 was 52%, 45% and 3% respectively. In multivariate analysis, only cumulative ART exposure was associated with FIB4>1.45 (odds ratio [OR] 1.008, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000-1.016), while APRI>0.5 was associated with higher alanine aminotransferase levels (OR 1.033, 95%CI 1.015-1.510). Twenty patients had a liver biopsy, of whom 13 had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Conclusions

Elevated transaminases are often present in HIV-mono-infected patients and this may be associated with NAFLD and/or ART. Non-invasive screening for the presence of NAFLD and fibrosis in all HIV-mono-infected patients as part of their routine clinical management should be further explored.

Liver Function Tests Abnormalities and Hepatitis B Virus & Hepatitis C Virus Co-infection in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected Patients in India

BACKGROUND

While highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has improved survival of HIV-infected patients, there is increasing liver disease and progressive Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) related liver disease.

AIMS

To study the liver function tests (LFT) and HBV and HCV co-infection in HIV-infected patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All HIV-positive patients presenting to a tertiary level hospital from April 2009 to April 2011 were evaluated. Baseline LFT, CD4/CD8 counts, ultrasound abdomen, HBsAg, IgG anti-HBc, HBVDNA, Anti-HCV and HCVRNA were done in all patients. LFT was repeated monthly or more frequently with anti-tubercular therapy (ATT)/HAART.

RESULTS

Abnormal LFT were seen in 143/320 (44.6%) HIV-infected patients (n = 320; M-282, F-38; mean age-35.4 ± 7.3 years). Baseline LFT was abnormal in 48 (15%) [hepatotropic viruses-19, alcohol-24, NAFLD-1, disseminated TB-1, idiopathic-03). Subsequent LFT derangement developed in 95/272 (34.9%). In the majority, the LFT abnormality was mild (119/143-83.2%) and multi-factorial [HAART 132 (76.4%), alcohol 69 (48.2%), ATT 31 (21.7%), HBV 16 (11.2%), HCV 15 (10.4%)]. Using multivariate analysis, abnormal LFT were associated with HAART (OR, 5.92; 95%CI, 2.83-12.37), ATT (OR, 2.06; 95%CI, 1.06-3.99) or HCV infection (OR, 2.54; 95%CI, 1.03-6.26). Significant hepatotoxicity requiring drug modification was seen in only 7 cases. HBV, HCV and HBV + HCV co-infection were seen in 37 (11.6%), 28 (8.8%) and 2 (0.6%) respectively. Occult co-infections were rare [HBV-1 (0.3%); HCV-3 (0.9%)].

CONCLUSION

While LFT abnormalities in HIV are common, they are usually mild and multifactorial. HBV and HCV co-infections were seen in 11.6% and 8.8%, respectively. Occult HBV and HCV infections were rare.

A cross-sectional study of liver function tests in HIV-infected persons in Western India

BACKGROUND

Derangement of liver function tests (LFTs) is common in people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (PLHA). The cause is multifactorial. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the commonest cause and others being alcohol abuse and concomitant viral hepatitis. The aim of the research was to study the prevalence of LFT abnormalities in PLHA.

METHODS

The study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital. Evaluation included a detailed history, thorough clinical examination and investigations including a haemogram, serum biochemistry, serology for hepatitis, and CD4 cell count.

RESULTS

A total of 247 patients were evaluated. Of these, 212 (85.82%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 111 (44.93%) were on anti-tubercular therapy (ATT), and 94 (38.05%) were on concurrent ATT-ART. Abnormal LFTs were seen in 128/247 (51.82%) PLHA. In the majority (88.28%), the LFT abnormalities were mild. LFT abnormalities were seen in 109/212 (51.4%) patients on ART, in 56/111 (50.5%) patients on ATT, 46/94 (48.93%) patients on concurrent ART-ATT. There was no difference in LFT abnormalities among the three groups nor was there any significant association with alcohol consumption. There was a statistically significant co-relation between albumin/globulin ratio and CD4 count (p = 0.0002). Counter-intuitively, LFT abnormalities were commoner in patients not receiving nevirapine (p = 0.043), but severe abnormalities (grade III/grade IV) were commoner in those receiving nevirapine (p = 0.005) and in those on concurrent ART-ATT (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

LFT abnormalities in PLHA are common; but usually mild. There is a strong association between severe abnormalities and nevirapine-based therapy (p = 0.02) and concurrent ATT-ART (p = 0.008).

Liver Enzymes Abnormalities among Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Experienced and HAART Naïve HIV-1 Infected Patients at Debre Tabor Hospital, North West Ethiopia: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Liver disease has emerged as the most common non-AIDS-related cause of death in HIV patients. However, there is limited data regarding this condition including our setting in Ethiopia. Hence, liver enzyme abnormalities among highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) experienced and HAART naïve patients were assessed in this study. A total of 164 HAART experienced and 164 HAART naïve patients were studied. Blood specimen was collected to determine alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), CD4 count, and viral hepatitis. The prevalence of liver enzyme abnormality was 20.1% and 22.0% among HAART experienced and HAART naïve patients, respectively. The HAART experienced patients had higher mean ALT than HAART naïve patients (P = 0.002). Viral hepatitis (AOR = 6.02; 95% CI = 1.87-19.39), opportunistic infections (AOR = 2.91; 95% CI = 1.04-8.19), current CD4 count <200 cells/mm(3) (AOR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.06-4.39), and male sex (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.001-3.33) were associated with elevated ALT and/or AST. In conclusion, liver enzyme abnormalities were high in both HAART experienced and HAART naïve HIV-1 infected patients. Hence, monitoring and management of liver enzyme abnormalities in HIV-1 infected patients are important in our setting.

Changing clinical profile and factors associated with liver enzyme abnormalities among HIV-infected persons

The spectrum of liver disease among HIV-infected patients is changing. In the era of antiretroviral therapy, opportunistic infections are diminishing and deranged liver function appears to be due usually to drug-induced liver injury, alcohol, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or chronic hepatitis B. To test this hypothesis, 98 HIV-positive patients with deranged liver function were compared with matched HIV-positive patients with normal liver function and likewise matched HIV-negative patients with normal liver function tests.

Hepatic Enzyme Alterations in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy: A Case-Control Study in a Hospital Setting in Ghana

BACKGROUND

Diagnosing hepatic injury in HIV infection can be a herculean task for clinicians as several factors may be involved. In this study, we sought to determine the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and disease progression on hepatic enzymes in HIV patients.

METHODS

A case-control study conducted from January to May 2014 at the Akwatia Government Hospital, Eastern region, Ghana, The study included 209 HIV patients on ART (designated HIV-ART) and 132 ART-naive HIV patients (designated HIV-Controls). Data gathered included demography, clinical history and results of blood tests for hepatic enzymes. We employed the Fisher's, Chi-square, unpaired t-test and Pearson's correlation in analysis, using GraphPad Prism and SPSS. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Median CD4 lymphocyte count of HIV-ART participants (604.00 cells/mm3) was higher than that of HIV-Controls (491.50 cells/mm3; P = 0.0005). Mean values of ALP, ALT, AST and GGT did not differ between the two groups compared (P > 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between hepatic enzymes (ALP, ALT, AST and GGT) for both groups (p < 0.01 each). Duration of ART correlated positively with ALT (p < 0.05). The effect size of disease progression on hepatic enzymes for both groups was small.

CONCLUSION

Antiretroviral therapy amongst this population has minimal effects on hepatic enzymes and does not suggest modifications in therapy. Hepatic injury may occur in HIV, even in the absence of ART and other traditional factors. Monitoring of hepatic enzymes is still important in HIV patients.

Temporal Trends in Patient Characteristics and Outcomes Among Children Enrolled in Mozambique's National Antiretroviral Therapy Program

BACKGROUND

During 2004-2009, >12,000 children (<15 years old) initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Mozambique. Nationally representative outcomes and temporal trends in outcomes were investigated.

METHODS

Rates of death, loss to follow-up (LTFU) and attrition (death or LTFU) were evaluated in a nationally representative sample of 1054 children, who initiated ART during 2004-2009 at 25 facilities randomly selected using probability-proportional-to-size sampling.

RESULTS

At ART initiation during 2004-2009, 50% were male; median age was 3.3 years; median CD4% was 13%; median CD4 count was 375 cells/μL; median weight-for-age Z score was -2.1. During 2004-2009, median time from HIV diagnosis to care initiation declined from 33 to 0 days (P = 0.001); median time from care to ART declined from 93 to 62 days (P = 0.004); the percentage aged <2 at ART initiation increased from 16% to 48% (P = 0.021); the percentage of patients with prior tuberculosis declined from 50% to 10% (P = 0.009); and the percentage with prior lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia declined from 16% to 1% (P < 0.001). Over 2652 person-years of ART, 183 children became LTFU and 26 died. Twelve-month attrition was 11% overall but increased from 3% to 22% during 2004-2009, mainly because of increases in 12-month LTFU (from 3% to 18%).

CONCLUSION

Declines in the prevalence of markers of advanced HIV disease at ART initiation probably reflect increasing ART access. However, 12-month LTFU increased during program expansion, and this negated any program improvements in outcomes that might have resulted from earlier ART initiation.

Association of Abnormal Liver Function Parameters with HIV Serostatus and CD4 Count in Antiretroviral-Naive Rwandan Women

We determined the associations of HIV infection/CD4 count with markers of hepatocellular damage [elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)] and liver synthetic function (decreased albumin) in HIV-infected (HIV(+)) antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive and uninfected (HIV(-)) Rwandan women. In 2005, 710 HIV(+) ART-naive and 226 HIV(-) women enrolled in the Rwanda Women's Interassociation Study and Assessment. Liver enzymes were measured with abnormality defined as either AST or ALT ≥1.25 times the upper limit of normal. Low serum albumin level was defined as <3.5 g/dl. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified independent predictors of elevated AST/ALT and low serum albumin. HIV(-) women had the lowest prevalence (6.6%) of abnormal AST/ALT, with the highest prevalence (16.4%) in HIV(+) women with CD4 <200 cells/μl (p=0.01). The odds of having serum albumin <3.5 g/dl was 5.7-fold higher in HIV(+) than HIV(-) women (OR=5.68, 95% CI: 3.32-9.71). The risk of low albumin decreased from low to high CD4 count, with OR=2.62, 95% CI: 1.66, 4.14 and OR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.43 in HIV(+) women with a CD4 count <200 and 200-350 cells/μl, respectively vs. HIV(+) with CD4 >350 (p<0.001 and p<0.05 for all comparisons). Our findings suggest that HIV-associated liver damage may occur in ART-naive patients. Although liver abnormality prevalences in this cohort of HIV-infected Rwandan women are less than reported in developed countries, caution is needed for risk assessment measures to monitor and screen HIV-infected patients pre- and post-ART initiation in African clinical settings to curtail potential risks associated with HIV infection.

Lower mortality in persons infected with HIV receiving antiretroviral treatment in a hospital-based model: an observational cohort study

ABSTRACT: 

Aim: Although the National Free Antiretroviral Treatment Program (NFATP) is effectively administered through a community-based treatment model in China, there are some limitations in this model. No-one has reported the outcomes of highly active antiretroviral therapy as part of a hospital-based HIV treatment model in China.  Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of mortality and viral responses in HIV-positive patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens in a cohort registered in Ditan Hospital, Beijing, China, the largest infectious disease hospital in North China. Results: This study demonstrated low mortality (3.4% of patients died in a median follow-up of 19 months, with a mortality of 1.7 per 100 person-years) from 2005 to 2010 in Ditan Hospital. In an adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, CD4 cell counts less than 50 cells/μl (adjusted hazard ratio of 5.95 [95% CI: 1.3–28.2]) was the strongest risk factor for death, and switching regimens during treatment was associated with lower risk of death. The study also demonstrated 93.4% of patients were adequate viral suppression, 3% were definite virologic failure, 2% were probable virologic failure and 1.3% were indeterminate. In logistic regression analysis, the strongest risk factors for inadequate viral suppression or failure were single, divorced or widowed (adjusted odds ratio: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.2–14.9) and baseline alanine aminotransferase >100 U/l (adjusted odds ratio: 6.2; 95% CI: 1.5–26.1). Conclusion: The hospital-based HIV treatment model appeared to be successful in improving patient survival and should be considered as an important alternative to the community-based treatment models commonly applied in China.

Liver steatosis in Chinese HIV-infected patients with hypertriglyceridemia: characteristics and independent risk factors

BACKGROUND

Since Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) medications were made available in 2002, multiple serious side effects have been observed. However, no study has yet systematically evaluated the prevalence of liver steatosis, a very serious but treatable side effect.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the prevalence of and independent risk factors for liver steatosis in Chinese HIV-infected, HAART-experienced patients who had been diagnosed with hypertriglyceridemia.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional observational study, the prevalence of liver steatosis was determined by ultrasound imaging that detected diffusion in hepatic echogenicity. The risk factors associated with steatosis were evaluated with a proportional odds logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Among 163 HIV-infected patients with hypertriglyceridemia and past HAART experience, 75(46%) patients were determined to have liver steatosis. In multivariable logistic regression model, the risk factors associated with liver steatosis were: higher triglyceride level (OR = 1.086, P = 0.026), metabolic syndromes (OR = 2.092, P = 0.024) and exposure to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTIs) ((OR = 2.11, P = 0.001) and Stavudine (OR = 3.75, P = 0.01)). Exposure to Nevirapine (OR = 0 .41, P = 0.003) was a favorable factor for lipid metabolism in vivo and was a protective factors for liver steatosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese HIV-infected patients with hypertriglyceridemia appear to be prone to liver steatosis, especially those on NRTIs. Routine screening should be considered on their lipid panels.

Liver function test abnormalities in Nigerian patients with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus co-infection

Data on baseline hepatic function of HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infected patients are limited in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed liver function test (LFT) abnormalities in Nigerian patients with HIV/HBV co-infection to highlight the impact of HIV on HBV-related liver disease in sub-Saharan Africa. A cross-sectional study involving 100 HIV/HBV co-infected patients and 100 age- and sex-matched HBV mono-infected controls. Blood testing for HIV antibodies, CD4+ cell count, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), LFTs, platelet count, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile were carried out. Non-invasive hepatic fibrosis scores (aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index [APRI] and FIB-4) were also calculated. Co-infected patients had deranged liver enzymes more than the controls (77% versus 64%, P = 0.04). The predominant patterns of enzyme derangement in co-infected patients were either predominantly ↑ALP (30% versus 4%, P < 0.0001) or mixed (30% versus 15%, P = 0.01) but predominantly ↑AST/ALT in the controls (25% versus 9%, P = 0.003). Co-infected patients had higher fibrosis scores for both APRI (P = 0.002) and FIB-4 (P = 0.0001). On further analysis, LFT abnormalities and fibrosis scores were only significantly higher in co-infected patients in the immune clearance and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis phases. LFT abnormalities are common in Nigerians with HBV infection and co-infection with HIV negatively impacts on hepatic function.

Hepatic steatosis in human immunodeficiency virus: a prospective study in patients without viral hepatitis, diabetes, or alcohol abuse

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Abnormal liver enzymes (LEs) are common in those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Histologic data on those with abnormal LE without viral hepatitis are lacking.

METHODS

HIV-positive subjects without hepatitis C virus, hepatitis B virus, alcohol abuse, and diabetes mellitus with more than 1 abnormal LE, defined as 1.25 ULN in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, or alkaline phosphatase, over 6 months were included. Subjects underwent a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test, fasting lipids, insulin and glucose for insulin resistance (IR) by homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for fat distribution. Biopsies were read blindly to clinical data, and scored by Ishak histologic activity index for inflammation and fibrosis and NAFLD activity score.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients underwent biopsy. All were on highly active antiretroviral therapy with undetectable HIV RNA and mean CD4 614. The histologic activity index scores for inflammation and fibrosis were 3.43(1.4) and 1.71(1.26), respectively, and 2 patients had advanced fibrosis (bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis). The majority (65%) of patients had steatosis: grade 1: 21%, grade 2: 28%, and grade 3: 14%. Hepatocyte ballooning was seen in 7 (40%) but nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was diagnosed only in 4 (26%). NAFLD activity score of all biopsies of 3.07 (2.2; range, 0 to 5). HOMA-IR was higher in those with compared with those without steatosis (3.52 vs. 1.91; P = 0.11) and highest in those with NASH (4.89). Using multivariate logistic regression, only increased γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (P = 0.0009) predicted steatosis whereas HOMA-IR (P = 0.0046) predicted NASH.

CONCLUSIONS

Although steatosis is common in HIV patients with abnormal LE without diabetes mellitus, alcohol, or viral hepatitis coinfection, NASH was observed in only 26%. The only clinical or laboratory feature associated with biopsy proven steatosis and NASH were γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and a calculated measure of insulin resistance, respectively. Further studies are needed in this population to determine the long-term clinical significance.

Hepatotoxicity induced by antituberculosis drugs among patients coinfected with HIV and tuberculosis

Hepatotoxicity due to antituberculosis drugs limits treatment in patients coinfected with HIV and tuberculosis. We conducted a case-control study to identify risk factors for hepatotoxicity among patients coinfected with tuberculosis and HIV in two hospitals in Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil. The sample consisted of 57 patients (36.5% of the total) who developed hepatotoxicity and a control group of 99 patients (63.5% of the total), who did not present this effect. Hepatotoxicity consisted of jaundice or a high concentration of AST/ALT or total bilirubinemia. Multivariate logistic regression showed that a T CD4+ count of < 200 cells/mm(3) increased the risk of hepatotoxicity by a factor of 1.233 (p < 0.001) and that coinfection with hepatitis B or C virus increased this risk by a factor of 18.187 (p = 0.029). Discharge occurred among 66.1% of the case group (p = 0.026). The absence of hepatotoxicity was a protective factor against death (OR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.20-0.91). Coinfection with the B and C hepatitis virus and a T CD4+ cell count below 200 cells/mm(3) were independent risk factors for hepatotoxicity in these patients.

Hepatic steatosis in HIV-HCV coinfected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy is associated with HCV-related factors but not antiretrovirals

Background

In HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected patients, the role of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on hepatic steatosis (HS) remains controversial.

Methods

HIV/HCV coinfected patients receiving ART and previously untreated for HCV who underwent a liver biopsy were included. Cumulative duration of exposure to each antiretroviral was recorded up to liver biopsy date. Logistic regression analyses evaluated factors associated with steatosis and its severity.

Results

184 patients were included: median age 41years, 84% male, 89% Caucasian, 61% with a past history of intravenous drug use. HCV genotypes were 1 (55%), 2 (6%), 3 (26%), and 4 (13%). Median HCV-RNA was 6.18 log₁₀ IU/ml. HIV-RNA was undetectable (<400 copies/ml) in 67% of patients. Median CD4 count was 321/mm³. All patients had been exposed to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (median cumulative exposure 56months); 126 received protease inhibitors (23months), and 79 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (16months). HS was observed in 102 patients (55%): 41% grade 1; 5% grade 2, and 9% grade 3. In multivariate analysis, HCV genotype 3 and HCV viral load were moderately associated with mild steatosis but strongly with grade 2-3 steatosis. After adjustment for the period of biopsy, no association was detected between HS and exposure to any antiretroviral class or drug, or duration of ART globally or comparing genotype 3 to others.

Conclusions

Among our ART-treated HIV-HCV cohort predominantly infected with genotype 1, 55% of patients had HS which was associated with HCV-related factors, but not ART class or duration of exposure.

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the United States

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a concern among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

METHODS

The authors analyzed population-based registry linkage data from the US HIV/AIDS Cancer Match Study (1980-2009) to examine the risk and trends of HCC among individuals with AIDS. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to measure HCC risk relative to the general population, and Poisson regression was used to calculate incidence rate ratios (RR) comparing incidence among individuals with AIDS. People with AIDS were categorized according to their HIV risk group into high and low hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence groups based on their HIV transmission risk category.

RESULTS

Among 615,150 individuals with AIDS, HCC risk was elevated almost 4 times compared with the risk in the general population (N = 366; SIR, 3.8; 95% confidence interval, 3.5-4.3). Although HCC incidence increased steadily across calendar periods (P(trend) < .0001; adjusted for sex and age), the excess risk in individuals with AIDS compared with the general population remained somewhat constant (SIRs range, 3.5-3.9) between the monotherapy/dual therapy era (1990-1995) and the recent highly active antiretroviral therapy era (2001-2009). In a multivariate model adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, and attained calendar period, HCC incidence increased with advancing age (P(trend) < .0001) and was associated with HIV risk groups with a known higher prevalence of HCV (adjusted RR, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-2.8).

CONCLUSIONS

HCC incidence in individuals with AIDS has increased over time despite improved HIV treatment regimens, likely reflecting prolonged survival with chronic liver disease. The high incidence in older adults suggests that this cancer will increase in importance with aging of the HIV-infected population.

Assessment of liver fibrosis and associated risk factors in HIV-infected individuals using transient elastography and serum biomarkers

Background

Liver fibrosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals is mostly attributable to co-infection with hepatitis B or C. The impact of other risk factors, including prolonged exposure to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) is poorly understood. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of liver fibrosis and associated risk factors in HIV-infected individuals based on non-invasive fibrosis assessment using transient elastography (TE) and serum biomarkers (Fibrotest [FT]).

Methods

In 202 consecutive HIV-infected individuals (159 men; mean age 47 ± 9 years; 35 with hepatitis-C-virus [HCV] co-infection), TE and FT were performed. Repeat TE examinations were conducted 1 and 2 years after study inclusion.

Results

Significant liver fibrosis was present in 16% and 29% of patients, respectively, when assessed by TE (≥ 7.1 kPa) and FT (> 0.48). A combination of TE and FT predicted significant fibrosis in 8% of all patients (31% in HIV/HCV co-infected and 3% in HIV mono-infected individuals). Chronic ALT, AST and γ-GT elevation was present in 29%, 20% and 51% of all cART-exposed patients and in 19%, 8% and 45.5% of HIV mono-infected individuals. Overall, factors independently associated with significant fibrosis as assessed by TE (OR, 95% CI) were co-infection with HCV (7.29, 1.95-27.34), chronic AST (6.58, 1.30-33.25) and γ-GT (5.17, 1.56-17.08) elevation and time on dideoxynucleoside therapy (1.01, 1.00-1.02). In 68 HIV mono-infected individuals who had repeat TE examinations, TE values did not differ significantly during a median follow-up time of 24 months (median intra-patient changes at last TE examination relative to baseline: -0.2 kPa, p = 0.20).

Conclusions

Chronic elevation of liver enzymes was observed in up to 45.5% of HIV mono-infected patients on cART. However, only a small subset had significant fibrosis as predicted by TE and FT. There was no evidence for fibrosis progression during follow-up TE examinations.

Long-term durability of immune responses after hepatitis A vaccination among HIV-infected adults

BACKGROUND

Vaccination provides long-term immunity to hepatitis A virus (HAV) among the general population, but there are no such data regarding vaccine durability among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied HIV-infected adults who had received 2 doses of HAV vaccine. We analyzed blood specimens taken at 1 year, 3 years, and, when available, 6-10 years postvaccination. HAV immunoglobulin G (IgG) values of ≥10 mIU/mL were considered seropositive.

RESULTS

We evaluated specimens from 130 HIV-infected adults with a median age of 35 years and a median CD4 cell count of 461 cells/mm(3) at or before time of vaccination. Of these, 49% had an HIV RNA load <1000 copies/mL. Initial vaccine responses were achieved in 89% of HIV-infected adults (95% confidence interval [CI], 83%-94%), compared with 100% (95% CI, 99%-100%) of historical HIV-uninfected adults. Among initial HIV-infected responders with available specimens, 90% (104 of 116; 95% CI, 83%-95%) remained seropositive at 3 years and 85% (63 of 74; 95% CI, 75%-92%) at 6-10 years. Geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) among HIV-infected adults were 154, 111, and 64 mIU/mL at 1, 3, and 6-10 years, respectively, compared with 1734, 687, and 684 mIU/mL among HIV-uninfected persons. Higher GMCs over time among HIV-infected adults were associated with lower log(10) HIV RNA levels (β = -.12, P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Most adults with well-controlled HIV infections had durable seropositive responses up to 6-10 years after HAV vaccination. Suppressed HIV RNA levels are associated with durable HAV responses.

Management of HIV-1 associated hepatitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: role of a successful control of viral replication

In HIV-1 infected patients, increase of liver enzymes may be mainly due to viral coinfections, alcohol intake, hepatotoxic drugs or autoimmune diseases. Three cases of aminotransferase elevation occurred during a phase of uncontrolled viral replication combined with a severe immunodeficiency and resolved by an effective HAART are described, focusing on the etio-pathogenetic role possibly played by HIV-1 infection.

Adverse reactions to antituberculosis drugs in in-hospital patients: Severity and risk factors

INTRODUCTION

Given Mycobacterium tuberculosis's characteristics, the treatment of tuberculosis (TB) infection is administered over a long period of time (for six months or more) with a combination of several drugs which could cause adverse reactions (AR). These can cause significant morbidity and compromise tuberculosis treatment regimens.

AIM

To determine the incidence and severity of and risk factors for major adverse reactions to antituberculosis drugs in in-hospital patients treated for active tuberculosis.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients admitted to Pulido Valente Hospital (Pulmonology Unit III) with active TB treated with anti-tuberculosis agents April 1999 to July 2007. Adverse reactions resulting in modification or discontinuation of treatment or hospital admission were recorded. Patients' demographic characteristics and clinical data were used as independent variables. The relationship between independent variables and the frequency and severity of AR was studied using multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model. The data were analysed using the Student t test, one-way ANOVA and logistic regression. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 15.0.

RESULTS

We recorded 1400 in-hospital patients treated for active TB 1999 to 2007, of which 175 patients (12.5%), 118 male and 57 female, had at least one AR induced by antituberculosis agents, to a total of 192 events. Hepatotoxicity was the most prevalent AR (83/47.4%), followed by skin reactions (55/31.4%) and gastrointestinal intolerance (24/13.7%). In 76 patients (43.4%) AR caused prolonged hospital stay. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed in the average hospital stay (58.4 days for patients with AR and 26 days for patients without AR). Isoniazid (62.2%) and rifampicin (51.9%) were the most frequently implicated drugs. It was possible to characterise the AR severity in 134 cases. In 106 cases (79%) AR resulted in discontinuation of the drug. The relationship between drug and AR was definitive in 23 cases (17%). Of the 13 patients (9.6%) who died, AR was directly implicated in the cause of death in six (4.4%). AR were associated with alcoholism (relative risk [RR] 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-7.9) and CD4 levels < 350 cells/mm(3) (RR 2.6; CI 1.4-5). In the predictive model, hepatic reactions were associated with viral hepatitis B and/or C (RR 2.5, CI; 1.2-5.1) and that CD4 levels < 350 cells/mm(3) (RR5.5; CI 1.6-18.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Antituberculosis drugs are associated with a significant number of AR that can cause significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stay and even death. Our results show that alcoholism and levels of CD4 < 350 cells/mm(3) were significantly associated with a high risk of AR and hepatitis B and C and levels of CD4 < 350 cells/mm3 were also significantly associated with hepatotoxicity.

Liver disease in the HIV-infected individual

Since the advent of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV), there has been a substantial decrease in deaths related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, in the ART era, liver disease is now the most common non-AIDS-related cause of death among HIV-infected patients, accounting for 14%-18% of all deaths in this population and almost half of deaths among hospitalized HIV-infected patients. Just as the burden of non-AIDS morbidity and mortality has changed in the ART era, the types of liver disease the clinician is likely to encounter among these patients have changed as well. This review will discuss the causes of liver disease in the HIV-infected population in the ART era, including chronic hepatitis C virus, chronic hepatitis B virus, medication-related hepatotoxicity, alcohol abuse, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and AIDS-related liver diseases.

Isoniazid-associated hepatitis and antiretroviral drugs during tuberculosis prophylaxis in hiv-infected adults in Botswana

RATIONALE

Little is known about the incidence of isoniazid-associated hepatitis in HIV-infected Africans who receive both isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) and antiretroviral therapy (ART).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the rate of and risk factors for isoniazid (INH)-associated hepatitis in persons living with HIV (PLWH) during IPT.

METHODS

PLWH recruited for a clinical trial received 6 months of open-label, daily, self-administered INH at public health clinics. At screening PLWH were excluded if they had any cough, weight loss, night sweats, or other illness. Alcohol abuse was defined as meeting any CAGE criterion. INH-associated hepatitis (INH-hepatitis) was defined as having either alanine or aspartate aminotransferase greater than 5.0 times the upper limit of normal regardless of symptoms when INH was not excluded as the cause.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Of 1,995 PLWH enrolled between 2004 and 2006, 1,762 adhered to at least 4 months of IPT and were analyzed. Nineteen (1.1%) developed hepatitis probably or possibly associated with INH including one death at month 6; 14 of 19 (74%) occurred in months 1-3. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) was received by 480 participants but was not statistically associated with INH-hepatitis (relative risk [RR], 1.56; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 0.62-3.9); those receiving nevirapine had a higher rate (2.0%) than those receiving efavirenz (0.9%; P = 0.34). Although alcohol use did not reach significance (RR, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.57-3.51), meeting at least one CAGE criterion approached statistical significance (RR, 2.37; 95% CI, 0.96-5.84). Neither age greater than 35 years nor the presence of hepatitis B virus core antibody was associated with INH-hepatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The observed rates of INH-hepatitis were similar to published data. Six months of IPT, which is recommended by the World Health Organization, was relatively safe in this, the largest cohort of African PLWH. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT 00164281).

Prevalence and factors associated with liver test abnormalities among human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Liver disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons. We evaluated the prevalence, etiology, and factors associated with liver dysfunction in patients during the highly active antiretroviral therapy era.

METHODS

We performed liver tests (baseline and after a 6-month follow-up period) in HIV-infected patients treated at a large clinic. Comprehensive laboratory and ultrasound analyses were performed. Factors associated with liver test abnormalities were assessed using multivariate logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Eighty of 299 HIV-positive patients (27%) had abnormal liver test results during the 6-month study period. The majority of abnormalities were grade 1. Of those with liver test abnormalities, the most common diagnosis was nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (30%), followed by excessive alcohol use (13%), chronic hepatitis B (9%), chronic active hepatitis C (5%), and other (hemochromatosis and autoimmune hepatitis, 2%); 8 participants (10%) had more than 1 diagnosis. In total, 39 HIV patients with abnormal liver test results (49%) had a defined underlying liver disease. Despite laboratory tests and ultrasound examination, 41 abnormal liver test results (51%) were unexplained. Multivariate analyses of this group found that increased total cholesterol levels (odds ratio, 1.6 per 40-mg/dL increase; P = .01) were associated with liver abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Liver test abnormalities are common among HIV patients during the highly active antiretroviral therapy era. The most common diagnosis was nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Despite laboratory and radiologic investigations into the cause of liver dysfunction, 51% were unexplained, but might be related to unrecognized fatty liver disease.

[ANRS HC 02 RIBAVIC: impact of steatosis in HIV-HCV co-infection]

Steatosis is observed in around 25 to 70% of HIV-infected subjects. Steatosis is multifactorial. Steatosis was mainly related to denutrition and opportunistic infections at the Aids era then to nucleosidic analogues and mitochondrial cytopathies. Today, it is mainly associated with HAART- related lipodystrophy, and other classical causes (hyperlipidemia, diabetes, HCV infection) leading to insulin resistance. In the ANRS HC 02 RIBAVIC trial, in 395 co-infected HIV-HCV patients, steatosis was observed in 241 patients (61%). Among them, 38% had a grade I steatosis (less than 30% of fatty hepatocytes), 16% had a grade II steatosis (30 to 70% of hepatocytes) et 7% a grade III (more than 70% of hepatocytes). In multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with steatosis were genotype 3, Metavir fibrosis score, body mass index, HCV viral load and ferritinemia. Lipodystrophy and antiretroviral treatment were rarely associated with steatosis in the ANRS HC 02 RIBAVIC and APRICOT trials. In these trials, steatosis worsened the fibrosis progression but did not impact on the rate of sustained virological response. Finally, steatosis significantly decreases in patients with sustained virological response.

Noninvasive procedures to evaluate liver involvement in HIV-1 vertically infected children

OBJECTIVES

: Progressive liver injury is a concern in HIV-infected children exposed to long-term antiretroviral drugs and to the cytopathic effect of HIV. Yet liver biopsy is usually considered too invasive to be repeated in these patients. The aims of this study are to evaluate the feasibility of noninvasive hepatic investigations in HIV-1-infected children, assess the prevalence of signs of liver affection, and analyse the influence of the HIV disease severity and the exposure to antiretroviral therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

: A cross-sectional study conducted in 26 HIV-1 vertically infected children ages 8 to 18 years old. Liver function was assessed with standard serum biochemical markers, FibroTest, ActiTest, SteatoTest, Forns index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, ultrasound, and Fibroscan.

RESULTS

: Nineteen (>60%) children had signs of liver affection on at least 1 of the test results: 13 (50%) had elevated liver enzymes, 15 (63%), 8 (33%), 5 (21%), and 5 (21%) had abnormal FibroTest, ActiTest, Forns index, and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index results, respectively. Four children (17%) had mild liver steatosis on ultrasound. Fibroscan measures were significantly higher in patients than in age-matched healthy children. Patients with elevated Fibroscan measures also had significantly higher FibroTest results. Age, HIV stage N in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classification and exposure duration to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drugs were the main risk factors for hepatotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

: More than half of our population of HIV-infected children had biological and/or radiological signs of liver affection. Regular follow-up of liver function is necessary in these patients, which is now possible with noninvasive procedures.

Correlation between HIV viral load and aminotransferases as liver damage markers in HIV infected naive patients: a concordance cross-sectional study

Abnormalities in liver function tests could be produced exclusively by direct inflammation in hepatocytes, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Mechanisms by which HIV causes hepatic damage are still unknown. Our aim was to determine the correlation between HIV viral load, and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as markers of hepatic damage in HIV naive infected patients. We performed a concordance cross-sectional study. Patients with antiviral treatment experience, hepatotoxic drugs use or co-infection were excluded. We used a Pearson's correlation coefficient to calculate the correlation between aminotransferases serum levels with HIV viral load. We enrolled 59 patients, 50 men and 9 women seen from 2006 to 2008. The mean (+/- SD) age of our subjects was 34.24 +/- 9.5, AST 37.73 +/- 29.94 IU/mL, ALT 43.34 +/- 42.41 IU/mL, HIV viral load 199,243 +/- 292,905 copies/mL, and CD4+ cells count 361 +/- 289 cells/mm(3). There was a moderately strong, positive correlation between AST serum levels and HIV viral load (r = 0.439, P < 0.001); and a weak correlation between ALT serum levels and HIV viral load (r = 0.276, P = 0.034); after adjusting the confounders in lineal regression model the correlation remained significant. Our results suggest that there is an association between HIV viral load and aminotransferases as markers of hepatic damage; we should improved recognition, diagnosis and potential therapy of hepatic damage in HIV infected patients.

Syphilitic hepatitis among HIV-infected patients

Syphilis is an important public health issue and continues to occur at high rates among HIV-infected patients. Although abnormal liver function tests are common among HIV-infected persons, the incidence of syphilitic hepatitis in this population is currently unknown. We present two cases of syphilitic hepatitis and performed a retrospective study to determine the incidence of hepatitis during early syphilis infections among HIV-infected persons. Our study showed that syphilitic hepatitis is common, occurring in 38% (12/32) of HIV-positive patients with early stages of syphilis infection. Most cases occurred during secondary syphilis, with the most common finding being a maculopapular rash. Syphilis should be included in the differential diagnosis of HIV patients presenting with liver test abnormalities, rash and/or sexual risk factors.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among HIV-infected persons

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prevalence and factors associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among HIV-infected persons not infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

DESIGN

: A cross-sectional study among HIV-infected patients in a large HIV clinic.

METHODS

NAFLD was defined as steatosis among patients without viral hepatitis (B or C) coinfection or excessive alcohol use. The prevalence of NAFLD was identified by ultrasound examination evaluated by 2 radiologists blinded to the clinic information; liver biopsies were performed on a subset of the study population. Factors associated with NAFLD were evaluated by proportional odds logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven of 216 patients (31%) had NAFLD based on ultrasound evaluation. Among those with NAFLD, steatosis was graded as mild in 60%, moderate in 28%, and severe/marked in 12%. Factors associated with the degree of steatosis on ultrasound examination in the multivariate model included increased waist circumference [odds ratio (OR) 2.1 per 10 cm, P < 0.001], elevated triglyceride levels (OR 1.2 per 100 mg/dL, P = 0.03), and lower high-density lipoprotein levels (OR 0.7, per 10 mg/dL, P = 0.03). African Americans were less likely to have NAFLD compared with whites (14% vs. 35%), although this did not reach statistical significance (OR 0.4, P = 0.08). Similar associations were noted for the subset of patients diagnosed by liver biopsy. CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, duration of HIV infection, and antiretroviral medications were not independent risk factors associated with NAFLD after adjustment for dyslipidemia or waist circumference.

CONCLUSIONS

NAFLD was common among this cohort of HIV-infected HCV-seronegative patients. NAFLD was associated with a greater waist circumference, low high-density lipoprotein, and high triglyceride levels. Antiretroviral medications were not associated with NAFLD; prospective studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Ultrasonographic assessment of lipodystrophy in HIV-1-infected patients

PURPOSE

We performed a cross-sectional study of physical changes in HIV-infected adults to evaluate the role of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of lipodystrophy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty HIV-infected patients were recruited from 1 June to 31 December 2006. A total of 34 patients were included in the lipodystrophy group and 26 in no lipodystrophy group. Thickness of subcutaneous fat was measured twice with a high-frequency (15 MHz) transducer by transverse scans at four skin-based reference points: the periumbilical region, the brachial region, the crural region and the malar region. Visceral fat thickness was determined with a low-frequency (3.75 MHz) transducer at two skin reference points: perirenal fat diameter and visceral abdominal fat.

RESULTS

Compared with HIV-infected patients without lipodystrophy, those with lipoatrophy or mixed lipodystrophy had thinner facial, arm and leg fat, whereas patients with lipodystrophy showed thicker intra-abdominal fat. The median of the ratio between intra-abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat and between perirenal fat diameter and body mass index in the lipodystrophy group was higher than in the no lipodystrophy group. The measurements of brachial, malar and crural fat were significantly lower in patients with lipodystrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider the ratio between visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue and the thickness of malar fat to be the most useful ultrasonographic parameters for the early diagnosis of lipodystrophy in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

[HIV and hepatitis C virus coinfection]

Managing chronic hepatitis C in patients coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus is a significant challenge. Treatment is influenced by a number of viral and host characteristics, including hepatitis C virus genotype, baseline viremia, and adherence to medication. Accelerated progression of liver disease, immunodeficiency, and hepatotoxicity of antiretroviral drugs are additional concerns in coinfected patients. According to the results of 5 randomized clinical trials, 27 %-55 % of coinfected patients who receive therapy with peginterferon alfa plus ribavirin attain sustained virologic response. These studies also confirm the importance of early virologic response as a predictor of treatment outcome and reveal the considerable proportion of patients who experience hematologic tolerability issues. Effective management strategies that encompass patient and viral factors are necessary to improve the long-term outlook for coinfected patients.

Hepatic ultrastructural mitochondrial changes prior to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients in Brazil

The use of antiretroviral (ARV) medications has been linked to the emergence of severe adverse effects, including mitochondrial toxicity. The liver also appears to be among the affected organs. Nevertheless, different studies suggest that these patients' mitochondrial alterations could be associated to other etiological factors. The goal of this study was to analyze hepatic mitochondria ultrastructural changes in HIV-infected patients under investigation for hepatopathy. Semiquantitative analysis of mitochondria was performed in liver biopsies from 10 patients divided into 2 groups: Group 1 consisted of 5 patients who had never used ARV medications; group 2 consisted of 5 patients who reported previous use of either zidovudine or didanosine. Significant mitochondrial alterations were found in both groups. The summation of the mitochondrial alterations was higher in group 1 (P < .05) when compared with those who had previously used ARV medications. Therefore, the authors conclude that severe mitochondrial alterations occur in HIV-infected patients who have never been submitted to antiretroviral therapy.

Comparison of the antiviral activity of adefovir and tenofovir on hepatitis B virus in HIV–HBV-coinfected patients

Background

Characteristics and factors influencing viral decay under tenofovir (TDF) and adefovir (ADV) need to be determined in HIV–HBV-coinfected patients.

Methods

This open-label study compared the HBV dynamics in 85 HIV–HBV-coinfected patients initiating an antiretroviral regimen, either including TDF or associated with ADV. The first 6-month change in viral load was analysed using mixed linear models. The adjusted hazards ratio, comparing the rates of undetectable HBV DNA between treatments, was calculated using a Cox proportional hazard model.

Results

The HBV DNA decay, adjusted for baseline HBV viral load was more pronounced in patients treated with TDF than with ADV at 12 months (66% versus 53%, P=0.0001). Patients in the TDF group presented a steeper slope of decline at 1.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.9–1.3), compared with 0.8 (95% CI 0.6–1.0) in the ADV group ( P=0.036). The mean time to HBV DNA undetectability was 19.3 months (95% CI 16.7–22.0) with TDF and 25.9 months (95% CI 21.1–30.7) with ADV. When adjusted for hepatitis B virus e antigen, HBV DNA and alanine aminotransferase levels at baseline, the influence of treatment on time to HBV DNA undetectability remained in favour of TDF versus ADV (hazard ratio=2.79, 95% CI 1.05–7.40, P=0.039)

Conclusions

TDF influenced more strongly the early-phase HBV DNA kinetics than ADV. This is associated with a sustained antiviral activity in the TDF group, in which patients reached the threshold of HBV undetectability at a faster rate and in a larger proportion than those taking ADV.

The prevalence and risk factors for abnormal liver enzymes in HIV-positive patients without hepatitis B or C coinfections

BACKGROUND

Abnormal liver enzymes (LFTs) are frequently seen in HIV patients. Because HCV and HBV overshadow other possible variables, little is known about the prevalence and predictive factors of abnormal LFTs in the absence of viral hepatitis.

AIMS

To determine the prevalence and factors associated with abnormal LFTs defined as >1.25 ULN.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of HIV clinic patients was performed. Variables were determined at the time of abnormal LFTs or by history and included diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, HCV and HBV status, metabolic syndrome (MS), and HAART use (NRTI, NNRTI, and PI).

RESULTS

Patients without HCV/HBV (n = 679/1,208) were younger, Caucasian, had a BMI >30 and had dyslipidemia. The prevalences of elevated LFTs in those without HCV/HBV were AST 20%, ALT 15%, and ALP 43% compared to 64%, 46%, and 63% in those with HCV (all P < 0.0001), and 98% were mild-moderate (grade 1-2). While AST was highly correlated with ALT, neither was associated with increased ALP. In those without HCV/HBV, increased AST was associated with HTN, HIV RNA, and absence of PI use; increased ALT was associated with HTN, HIV RNA, CD4 < 200, MS, and absence of PI use, while increased ALP was associated with age, BMI, CD4%, DM, and NRTI use.

CONCLUSIONS

Mild-moderate increased liver enzymes are common in HIV patients without HCV/HBV and absence of PI use is independently associated with elevations in both AST and ALT, while features typical of hepatic steatosis (DM and BMI) are only associated with increased ALP.

Steatohepatitis: Risk factors and impact on disease severity in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus coinfection

Hepatic steatosis has been reported in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. However, the features of steatohepatitis, including cytologic ballooning and pericellular fibrosis, its risk factors, and the impact on disease severity in such patients are unknown. To assess this, we prospectively reviewed liver histology in consecutive coinfected patients to define the prevalence and severity of the features of steatohepatitis, its risk factors, and its impact on the severity of liver disease. A total of 222 subjects (74% male, mean age 45, 78% African American, 90% genotype 1) were studied. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 26, and 18% had a BMI >30. The prevalence of risk factors for steatosis were: diabetes (31%), hypertension (15%), dyslipidemia (8%), metabolic syndrome (9%), and alcohol abuse (21%). Steatosis was present in 23% and steatohepatitis was present in 17%. The steatosis was mild (5%-33%) in 19%, and moderate to severe (>33%) in 4%. Cytologic ballooning and pericellular fibrosis were present in 30% and 13%, respectively. The mean Ishak score was 6.9, and 33% had bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis. Both steatosis and cytologic ballooning were associated with BMI, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance, and presence of either was strongly associated with advanced fibrosis (P < 0.0001). By multiple logistic regressions, the following associations were identified: increased BMI, diabetes, and genotype 3 with steatosis; diabetes with cytologic ballooning; and longer duration of infection with steatohepatitis.

CONCLUSION

Steatosis and steatohepatitis are present in 23% and 30%, respectively, of patients with HIV/HCV coinfection, and both are associated with an increased risk of having advanced fibrosis. Although we did identify genotype 3, increased BMI, and diabetes as risk factors, we found no independent association with antiretroviral therapy.

Anti-tuberculosis therapy-induced hepatotoxicity among Ethiopian HIV-positive and negative patients

Background

To assess and compare the prevalence, severity and prognosis of anti-TB drug induced hepatotoxicity (DIH) in HIV positive and HIV negative tuberculosis (TB) patients in Ethiopia.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this study, 103 HIV positive and 94 HIV negative TB patients were enrolled. All patients were evaluated for different risk factors and monitored biochemically and clinically for development of DIH. Sub-clinical hepatotoxicity was observed in 17.3% of the patients and 8 out of the 197 (4.1%) developed clinical hepatotoxicity. Seven of the 8 were HIV positive and 2 were positive for HBsAg.

Conclusions/Significance

Sub-clinical hepatotoxicity was significantly associated with HIV co-infection (p = 0.002), concomitant drug intake (p = 0.008), and decrease in CD4 count (p = 0.001). Stepwise restarting of anti TB treatment was also successful in almost all the patients who developed clinical DIH. We therefore conclude that anti-TB DIH is a major problem in HIV-associated TB with a decline in immune status and that there is a need for a regular biochemical and clinical follow up for those patients who are at risk.