title: Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Japanese patients with HIV.
abstract: Patients with HIV infection are frequently infected with hepatitis viruses, which are presently the major cause of mortality in HIV-infected patients after the widespread use of highly active antiretrovirus therapy. We previously reported that approximately 20% of HIV-positive Japanese patients were also infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may also be an impediment to a good course of treatment for HIV-infected patients, because of recurrent liver injuries and a common effectiveness of some anti-HIV drugs on HBV replication. However, the status of co-infection with HIV and HBV in Japan is unclear. We conducted a nationwide survey to determine the prevalence of HIV-HBV co-infection by distributing a questionnaire to the hospitals belonging to the HIV/AIDS Network of Japan. Among the 5998patients reported to be HIV positive, 377 (6.4%) were positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen. Homosexual men accounted for two-thirds (70.8%) of the HIV-HBV co-infected patients, distinct from HIV-HCV co-infection in Japan in which most of the HIV-HCV co-infected patients were recipients of blood products. One-third of HIV-HBV co-infected patients had elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels at least once during the 1-year observation period. In conclusion, some HIV-infected Japanese patients also have HBV infection and liver disease. A detailed analysis of the progression and activity of liver disease in co-infected patients is needed.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Kazuhiko
authors: K
authors: Koike
authors: Yoshimi
authors: Y
authors: Kikuchi
authors: Michio
authors: M
authors: Kato
authors: Junki
authors: J
authors: Takamatsu
authors: Yoshizumi
authors: Y
authors: Shintani
authors: Takeya
authors: T
authors: Tsutsumi
authors: Hajime
authors: H
authors: Fujie
authors: Hideyuki
authors: H
authors: Miyoshi
authors: Kyoji
authors: K
authors: Moriya
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Yotsuyanagi