Dually active HIV/HBV antiretrovirals as protection against incident hepatitis B infections: potential for prophylaxis. Journal of Infectious Diseases
Shilaih et al. examined the effect of dually active antiretroviral therapy (DAART) containing regimens (TDF, 3TC, and FTC) in protecting against incident hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in HIV-infected individuals. The overall incidence rate per 1000 person-years was 16. DAART had a protective effect against HBV acquisition, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.4 (95% CI, .2–.6), whereas other ART regimens had none. Self-reported risky sexual behavior, a history of condomless sex, being a man who has sex with men and intravenous drug use was associated with higher risk of acquiring HBV. DAART had a higher protective effect in patients with a better long-term immunological status (i.e., CD4 cell count ≥200×10h6/mL).
In conclusion, the study-results suggest that early ART initiation, regardless of CD4 cell counts, has a strong beneficial public health impact, including preexposure prophylaxis of HBV coinfections.