HIV Treatment Can Significantly Lower Risk of Hepatitis B in HIV-Positive MSM

A new study shows that HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) can lower their risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by 80% if they have antiretroviral treatment resulting in undetectable levels of HIV. Effective HIV treatment reduced these men's HBV risk to the same level seen in HIV-negative MSM. Moreover, at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccine (three within six months are recommended) gave all MSM, regardless of HIV status, significantly boosted HBV protection.

Hepatitis B is a common coinfection with HIV. As many as one-quarter of new hepatitis B infections in the United States are among MSM, with sexual transmission a leading cause. Detectable HIV can contribute to HBV replication, and in turn, lead to mortality and illness from liver disease, underscoring the value of effective prevention.

"Just one dose of the hepatitis B vaccine resulted in a 70% reduction in risk for hepatitis B," study leader Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia, M.D., an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told TheBody.com. "What's disconcerting is that vaccination rates are small," she said.

Read more.....

Labels: , , ,