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Strategies for Hepatitis B Virus Prevention in People Living with HIV

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Coinfection with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) is common owing to shared routes of transmission, and persons with HIV-HBV coinfection experience an accelerated progression of liver disease. Despite the widespread availability of HBV vaccination, rates of seroprotection in people living with HIV (PLWH) have historically been low. In this article, we review strategies in HBV prevention among PLWH, focusing specifically on updates in HBV vaccination and chemoprophylaxis.

Recent Findings

Vaccination remains the hallmark of HBV prevention, and recent studies suggest that a double dose of HBV vaccine and Heplisav-B can improve rates of seroprotection among PLWH. The use of tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) has similarly been shown to provide some HBV protection in PLWH; however, this protection can be lost when switching to newer tenofovir-sparing regimens, including long-acting injectables.

Summary

All HBV-susceptible persons with HIV should be vaccinated against HBV, regardless of ART regimen and CD4 count.

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  1. Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Maria A. Corcorran & H. Nina Kim

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M.A.C and H.N.K. wrote the main manuscript text, M.A.C prepared the figure, H.N.K. prepared the table. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Maria A. Corcorran.

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Dr. Maria Corcorran declares no conflicts of interest. Dr. Nina Kim is an investigator on a grant where funding is paid to the University of Washington by Gilead Sciences.

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Corcorran, M.A., Kim, H.N. Strategies for Hepatitis B Virus Prevention in People Living with HIV. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 20, 451–457 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-023-00670-0

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