During the 19th European HIV/AIDS Conference organized by the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS), the results of a study were presented which showed that after switching to a two-component lamivudine/dolutegravir (3TC/DTG) scheme, about 30% of people living with hepatitis B (HBcAb+) do not completely suppress human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
For two years, every six months before switching to a two-component treatment scheme, specifically lamivudine/dolutegravir (3TC/DTG) and three years after the change, researchers from the University of Rome Tor Vergata tested HIV levels in patients who chose the scheme.
267 participants took part in research, with an average age of 41 years:
- 29% of participants tested positive for HCV antibodies;
- 13% tested positive for HBcAb.
At 24, 12, and 6 months before transition, each member of the group had an HIV load below 50 copies.
An overall analysis of study results showed that 30% of HBcAb+ patients who switched from a triple antiretroviral scheme to a two-component 3TC/DTG scheme did not show complete suppression of HIV RNA at 36 months after the scheme change.
Also during a presentation at the 19th European HIV/AIDS Conference, important insights into HIV and hepatitis B virus co-infection were presented:
- HBcAb positivity has a negative impact on achieving and maintaining an undetectable HIV load;
- about 30% of people with HIV taking tenofovir (TAF/TDF) regimens have latent HBV viraemia;
- hepatitis B virus can trigger HIV replication through its HBx protein.