HIV and Viral Hepatitis Co-infection

Dear Colleagues,

Co-infections with hepatitis viruses A to E and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) present significant public health challenges worldwide and contribute to a significant amount of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH). The management of these co-infections normally includes the use of multiple antiviral and antiretroviral drugs which may interact, limiting therapeutic efficacy or increasing toxicities. Hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis E (HEV) viruses are oro-fecal transmissible diseases and mostly produce acute self-limited episodes, but the changing demographic outbreaks among vulnerable populations have contributed to substantial increases in the reported cases of these co-infections in PLWH. Furthermore, the immunosuppression derived from HIV infection can modify the immune response to HAV and HEV infections, causing acute liver dysfunction or development into a chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV), and D (HDV) are frequent in PLWH as these viruses share a similar transmission route. HBV vaccination results in protective seroconversion, but it may remain suboptimal in PLWH; therefore, new strategies warrant further consideration. Progression to liver cirrhosis, increased hepatic decompensation, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma are mostly related to HCV. Although direct acting antivirals can now achieve sustained virological response in nearly almost co-infected individuals, further evidence is needed on the subsequent resolution of liver inflammation and systemic immune activation, as well as the latent HIV reservoir in PLWH.

For this Special Issue, research articles, review articles, as well as short communications are welcome to be submitted to provide novel insights into the evolving epidemiology, clinical aspects, and new preventive and therapeutic approaches of HIV and viral hepatitis co-infections for the better management and care of PLWH.

Dr. Sonia Moretti
Dr. Ivan Schietroma
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• HIV
• hepatitis A
• hepatitis B
• hepatitis C
• hepatitis delta
• hepatitis E
• co-infection
• antiviral therapy