The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), in collaboration with global research partners, conducted a pivotal study registered as Clinical Trial NCT02060162, exploring the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on liver fibrosis among HIV-infected adults with and without hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection in Zambia.

 Using an advanced imaging (ultrasound like tool) technology transient elastography (TE) to assess liver stiffness, which is a sign of liver health, the study revealed that the proportion of individuals with elevated liver stiffness, indicative of significant fibrosis or cirrhosis, declined after initiating ART, regardless of HBV status. These findings suggest that HIV itself contributes to liver inflammation, and ART may play a role in reversing this damage.

Notably, while ART, specifically tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) containing regimens, was linked to overall improvements in liver health, people with coinfection of HIV and HBV still showed a higher prevalence of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis after one year of ART compared to those with HIV alone. This highlights the need for continued monitoring and long-term care for this vulnerable subgroup.

The study underscores the critical role of timely ART initiation in improving liver outcomes among people living with HIV while also pointing to the need for targeted interventions in those with HBV coinfection.

Read More: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5411400/