Effects of HBV co-infection on liver function of patients with different types of hepatic echinococcosis

Objective: To clarify the effects of HBV co-infection on liver function of patients with different types of hepatic echinococcosis. Methods: We recruited 409 patients diagnosed with hepatic echinococcosis at three hospitals in western regions in China from 2014 to 2015. Venous blood was withdrawn to detect to liver function indications. ELISA was performed to detect HBsAg. We analyzed liver function in patients stratified by different types of hepatic echinococcosis with or without HBV infection. Results: The hepatic echinococcosis patients infected with HBV had more severe impairment in liver functions such as reduced albumin and increased transaminase. The patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were more vulnerable to HBV infection compared with those with hepatic cystic echinococcosis (38.4% vs. 86.4%, P<0.05). In addition, liver injury was more severe in patients diagnosed with alveolar hepatic echinococcosis and HBV infection compared with those diagnosed with cystic hepatic echinococcosis and HBV infection (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients co-infected with HBV have worse liver injury compared with those hepatic cystic echinococcosis ones co-infected with HBV. Therefore, they deserve special attention in clinical treatment.