Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) dual infection is not uncommon, but the impact of acute HBV superinfection in patients with chronic HCV infection is still unknown. Two patients with well documented chronic HCV infection were hospitalized for acute hepatitis, which was serologically confirmed to be acute HBV superinfection. One patient who was seropositive for both HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA upon admission died of hepatic failure. The other became seronegative for HCV-RNA and recovered with alanine aminotransferase normalization, seroclearance of HBsAg, and antibodies to HCV. These findings confirm that acute superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis may increase the risk for severe hepatitis, and suggest that HBV as the newcomer may suppress the pre-existing HCV. Together with the earlier observation that acute HCV superinfection suppresses pre-existing HBV, it seems that the timing or sequence of infection is a factor influencing the outcome of viral interactions.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
