Abstract
Since the introduction of HAART, the clinical importance of hepatitis virus infection and its complications in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons have continuously grown. Coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. To date, neither the optimal time point for initiation of anti-HBV therapy nor the best therapeutic approach has been clearly defined. We report the case of a 22-year-old African woman infected with HBV- and HIV-1 coinfection and severe impairment of liver function. HAART including lamivudine and tenofovir was started. Three weeks later, the patient achieved not only a restoration of her clinical situation and liver function, but she also demonstrated a complete suppression of both viruses. This impressive clinical course might be explained by the application of antiviral combination therapy including lamivudine and tenofovir. Tenofovir has shown a higher activity against HBV than other drugs. In addition, combination therapy for chronic hepatitis B might be more effective than monotherapy. Future studies need to clarify the value of combination treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis B.
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Lehmann, C., Wyen, C. & Fätkenheuer, G. Rapid Improvement of Liver Function in a Patient with HIV and Hepatitis B Coinfection Treated with Lamivudine and Tenofovir. Infection 34, 234–235 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-006-4145-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s15010-006-4145-5