Intensification of treatment with pegylated interferon alfa in patients coinfected with HIV and HBV genotype H or G being treated with a tenofovir/emtricitabine-containing regimen.

Background/Aims: The most common HBV genotypes in HIV-coinfected patients in Mexico are H and G; the response to treatment for these genotypes is unknown. The aim of the study was to examine the effectiveness of intensification with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) alfa-2a or alfa-2b in HBV/HIV-coinfected patients treated with a tenofovir/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) backbone in an HIV clinic in Mexico City. Methodology: We performed a single-arm open-label trial involving HBV/HIV-coinfected patients. Patients with chronic hepatitis B who were HBeAg positive were treated with TDF/FTCcontaining regimen. Treatment was intensified by addion of PEG-IFN alfa-2b or alfa-2a for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint of effectiveness, assessed after 24 weeks, was suppression of HBV DNA to <60 IU/mL. Results: We enrolled 29 patients; 27 (93%) were men. HBV types were F in 2 (6.9%), A in 2 (6.9%), G in 10 (34.5%), and H in 15 (51.7%). The primary endpoint was present in 17 (58%) patients (95% CI 29.7%-70.8%). Conclusions: Intensification with PEG-IFN alfa-2a or alfa-2b is effective and well tolerated in patients with chronic hepatitis B who are HBeAg positive, have type H or G, and are coinfected with HIV while they are being treated with TDF/FTC-containing regimen.