Pre-Existing HBV and HCV Infections Do Not Affect COVID-19-Related Outcomes: An Observational Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT

Background: A better understanding of the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 infection and HBV or HCV hepatitis is very important. Objectives: We aimed at determining the prevalence and the impact of pre-existing HBV and HCV infections in patients with COVID19. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study and included all the subjects positive for SARS-CoV-2 from March to May 2020. We evaluated the prevalence of chronic HBV and HCV infections and performed a matched cohort analysis to compare COVID-19-related outcomes between patients with and without infections due to HBV or HCV. Results: Among 606 subjects, 12 cases (2%) had positive HBsAg, and 6 cases (0.99%) presented detectable HCV RNA. We recognized 80 individuals positive for SARS-CoV-2 with negative markers for HBV and HCV suitable for the matched analysis. No statistical differences in mechanical ventilation and mortality rates were found (P = 0.27 and P = 0.80, respectively). Moreover, individuals with viral hepatitis were more likely to be admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in comparison to those without HBV or HCV infections (29% vs. 15%). The median time of virus clearance was 27.5 days, with no difference between the two groups. Conclusions: In our cohort, the pre-existing viral liver infection did not have any impact on the clinical and virological evolution of COVID-19.