The impact of HBV/HCV coinfection on HBV DNA levels and the severity of liver diseases in HBV-infected patients undergoing hemodialysis

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection on HBV DNA levels and the severity of liver diseases in HBV-infected patients undergoing hemodialysis. MethodsA total of 178 hemodialysis patients showing positivity for HBV infection were enrolled for study and divided into two groups according to co- or monoinfection status. Eighty-six patients tested positive for both HBV and HCV (HBV+/HCV+ group), and 92 patients tested positive for HBV and negative for HCV (HBV+/HCV- group). HBV DNA levels and blood biochemical parameters were measured. The significance of inter-group differences was assessed by t-test (normally distributed data) or Mann-Whitney U test (non-normally distributed data). Multivariate logistic stepwise regression was use to evaluate the association of parameters with HCV infection. ResultsThe two groups showed similar levels of serum aminotransferase (P＞0.05). In contrast, the HBV+/HCV+ patients showed significantly lower levels of serum HBV DNA than the HBV+/HCV- patients ［(0.42±0.10) vs. (1.25±0.28)log scale/ml, P＜0.01］. HCV infection was found to be independently associated with lower HBV DNA levels (OR=0.316, 95% CI: 0.236-0.865, P＜0.01). ConclusionIn hemodialysis patients, HBV/HCV coinfection is associated with lower HBV DNA levels but not more severe liver diseases.