Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains endemic in South Africa (SA), with a concomitantly high prevalence of HIV co-infection. Chronic kidney disease in these subpopulations also has a high prevalence. Tenofovir is an important component of management, but the associated risk of nephrotoxicity makes dosing a challenge in patients with impaired kidney function. A new formulation, tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF), with a more favourable renal toxicity profile, is now available.
Objectives: To evaluate our initial experience of TAF use at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with HBV mono-infection and HIV-HBV co-infection who were initiated on TAF since 2018. We recorded all relevant demographic, serological, virological and biochemical data from patient records. Adherence was documented by pill collection at the pharmacy.
Results: A total of 26 patients were included in the evaluation, median (interquartile range (IQR)) age 48 (39 - 51) years, 73% (n=19) male, 27% (n=7) hepatitis B e-antigen-positive, and 46% (n=12) HIV co-infected. The median (IQR) duration of treatment with TAF was 13 (9 - 15) months. The median (IQR) baseline creatinine level was 180 (130 - 227) µmol/L, with significant improvement at 12 months, 122 (94 - 143) µmol/L; p=0.017. Reflecting this change, the estimated glomerular filtration rate improved significantly from baseline to month 12 (42 (25 - 52) and 51 (48 - 68) mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively; p=0.023). Similarly, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalised from a baseline of 33 (18 - 52) to 18 (15 - 24) U/L at month 12 (p=0.012). HBV DNA viral load also declined, from a baseline of log10 4.04 (2.5 - 7.8) IU/mL to a median of <log10 1.3 IU/mL at month 12. HIV viral load was less than the lower level of quantification at months 6 and 12.
Conclusions: TAF was well tolerated, with stable and significantly improving kidney function throughout a 12-month follow-up period. Serum ALT normalised, mirrored by declining HBV viral load. HIV viral load remained undetectable at 6 and 12 months.