Prophylactic antiviral treatment reduces the incidence of liver failure among patients coinfected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and hepatitis B virus

Background China has a high prevalence of tuberculosis and hepatitis B virus infection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HBV coinfection increases the risk of incidence of drug-induced hepatotoxicity among patients on anti-tuberculosis therapy. Methods This retrospective study was carried out at the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, from 2013 to 2017. All enrolled patients were confirmed HBsAg-positive for a duration of at least 6 months and coinfected with mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results A cohort of 90 patients was analyzed. The incidence of liver damage and liver failure was 51.11% (n = 46) and 22.22% (n = 20), respectively. By multivariate analysis, initial albumin Conclusions Prophylactic antiviral treatment reduces the incidence of liver failure in patients coinfected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and hepatitis B virus; therefore, it is recommended that prophylactic antiviral treatment be administered while receiving anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients coinfected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and hepatitis B virus.