title: Does hepatitis B virus coinfection have any impact on treatment outcome in hepatitis C patients on hemodialysis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HBV/HCV coinfection is a common finding among hemodialysis patients. However, there is scarce information concerning the impact of HBV coinfection on the response to treatment of HCV-infected patients on hemodialysis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to compare the rate of sustained virologic response (SVR) to treatment with interferon-alfa (IFN) between hemodialysis patients with HBV/HCV coinfection and those with HCV-monoinfection.
  
  
  METHODS
  HCV-infected patients on hemodialysis treated with IFN were included. Patients coinfected by HBV/HCV were compared to HCV-monoinfected patients, regarding clinical and biochemical features and rates of SVR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and eleven patients were treated. HBV/HCV coinfection was observed in 18/111 patients (16%). Coinfected patients were younger (p = 002), had more time on dialysis (p = 0.05) and showed a tendency to present a higher prevalence of septal fibrosis (p = 0.06). The analysis by intention to treat showed SVR of 56% among coinfected patients and 18% in HCV-monoinfected patients (p = 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, end-stage renal disease patients with HBV/HCV coinfection exhibit higher rate of SVR to HCV treatment than HCV-monoinfected patients. It is possible that factors related to the host immune response and viral interaction could explain the better response observed among coinfected patients.
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Raul Carlos
authors: RC
authors: Wahle
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors: Renata
authors: R
authors: de Mello Perez
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Christini
authors: C
authors: Takemi Emori
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Silvia Naomi
authors: SN
authors: de Oliveira Uehara
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Patrícia
authors: P
authors: da Silva Fucuta
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Melo Rocha
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Ana Cristina
authors: AC
authors: de Castro Amaral Feldner
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Ivonete Sandra
authors: IS
authors: de Souza E Silva
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Roberto José
authors: RJ
authors: Carvalho-Filho
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Antônio E Benedito
authors: AE
authors: Silva
authors: Discipline of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Brazil.
authors: Maria Lucia
authors: ML
authors: Gomes Ferraz
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D060085:Coinfection; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents