Coinfection with Hepatitis B Virus Negatively Impacts HIV Disease Progression

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection currentlyaffects 5-10% of individuals with HIV infection indeveloped countries, despite HBV vaccination beingwidely available and effective for preventing HBVinfection. It is well established that HIV alters thenatural history of chronic hepatitis B, producinghigher serum HBV DNA concentrations, lower liverenzymes, and faster progression to liver cirrhosis,particularly in those with low CD4 cell counts.However, controversial results have been reportedregarding the impact of HBV infection on HIV diseaseprogression. Lack of agreement among studiesmight be due to the heterogeneity in study populationsand/or differences in the endpoints checked and lackof consideration of all virologic and host variables.