title: Modification of the immune response against hepatitis B virus by the human immunodeficiency virus.
abstract: Hepatitis B virus and the human immunodeficiency virus are similarly transmitted. Individuals with preexisting HIV infection have a higher chance to become HBsAg carriers than do anti-HIV negative persons. Cytotoxic T cells with specificity for HBcAg, that are under the control of HBcAg-specific helper T cells, are responsible for liver injury. There is good evidence that HIV infection lowers inflammatory activity, is associated with milder liver histology, high levels of viral replication and low seroconversion rates. In addition interferon alpha therapy is less effective in anti-HIV positive subjects. The immune response against HBsAg is helper T-cell dependent and vaccination against hepatitis B is of low effectiveness. In addition, vaccination against hepatitis B may activate the HIV disease and is, therefore, presently not to be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Medical Department, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rossol
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Voth
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Meyer zum Büschenfelde
mesh_terms: D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines