The influence of HTLV-III infection on the natural history of hepatitis B virus infection in male homosexual HBsAg carriers.
The presence of antibodies to HTLV-III and markers of active hepatitis B virus replication was examined in a longitudinal study of 33 consecutive male homosexual HBsAg carriers. The mean follow-up time was 37 months (range = 4 to 109 months). All patients were initially hepatitis B virus DNA-positive and HBeAg positive. Antibodies to HTLV-III were detectable in eight patients while they were positive for both of these markers. One of them cleared hepatitis B virus DNA and seroconverted from HBeAg to anti-HBe. This corresponds to an annual clearance/seroconversion rate of 4% (95% confidence limits = 0 to 15%). In two patients, antibodies to HTLV-III appeared after clearance of hepatitis B virus DNA and HBeAg, and in one of them, hepatitis B virus DNA reappeared. Among the 25 patients negative for HTLV-III antibodies, the annual hepatitis B virus DNA clearance rate was 20% and HBeAg to anti-HBe seroconversion rate was 11% (95% confidence limits = 11 to 31% and 4 to 20% respectively). The observed hepatitis B virus DNA clearance rates in the two groups were significantly different (p less than 0.05). Disease activity, as determined by transaminase levels, was significantly lower in HTLV-III-infected individuals as compared to individuals without HTLV-III infection (p less than 0.05). Infection with HTLV-III may extend the period of active viral replication or even reactivate hepatitis B virus replication and seems to diminish inflammatory disease activity in chronic HBsAg carriers.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014779:Virus Replication
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens