Liver biopsy revealed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in more than half of HIV-infected patients who had elevated transaminases without another known cause.
Persistent transaminase elevation is common in HIV-infected patients, even those without conditions known to cause liver disease, such as viral hepatitis or alcohol abuse. To determine its cause in such individuals, investigators performed liver biopsies on patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) who had had transaminase elevations for ≥6 months.
The 62 participants were predominantly male (94%) and had a long duration of HIV infection and ART (median time on treatment, 12.9 years); in 39%, alanine aminotransferase levels were greater than twice the upper limit of normal. On liver biopsy, 45 (73%) had evidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 55% had nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and 18% had bridging fibrosis. NASH was ass…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)