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Lack of association between hepatitis C infection and development of AIDS-related lymphoma
A M Levine1, R Nelson, E Zuckerman
1Department of Medicine, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles 90033, USA. hornor@hsc.usc.edu
Insights
This study found no link between Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and increased lymphoma risk in individuals with HIV/AIDS. Injecting drug use was a risk factor for HCV, but not for developing lymphoma in this population.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is linked to lymphoproliferative disorders.
- Coinfection with HIV and HCV is common in some populations.
- HCV's role in AIDS-related lymphoma requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between chronic HCV infection and AIDS-related lymphoma.
- To compare HCV prevalence in HIV-infected patients with lymphoma versus other AIDS diagnoses.
- To identify risk factors for HCV infection in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Assessed anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA in serum.
- Compared HCV prevalence in 99 men with AIDS-related lymphoma and 43 other AIDS patients.
- Evaluated risk factors for HCV infection, including drug use history.
Main Results:
- HCV infection was detected in 11.1% of lymphoma patients and 11.6% of other AIDS patients.
- No association was found between HCV infection and lymphoma histology or site.
- History of injected illicit drug use significantly increased HCV infection risk.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence that dual HIV and HCV infection increases lymphoma risk.
- HCV infection prevalence was similar in AIDS patients with and without lymphoma.
- Injecting drug use is a significant risk factor for HCV infection in HIV-positive individuals.
Abstract:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been associated with various lymphoproliferative disorders, and a high prevalence (9%-32%) of chronic HCV infection has been demonstrated among patients with lymphoma. Dual coinfection by HIV and HCV has been demonstrated in approximately 40% of certain populations of HIV-infected individuals. Because of this high prevalence of coinfection by HIV and HCV, the known relations between HCV and lymphoproliferative disorders, and the association of HIV and B cell lymphoma, the potential association between chronic HCV and the development of AIDS-related lymphoma was examined. The prevalence of HCV infection in HIV-infected patients with lymphoma was compared with that in patients with AIDS, diagnosed on the basis of an illness other than lymphoma. Risk factors for HCV infection, overall, were also evaluated. Evidence of HCV infection was ascertained by assessing anti-HCV antibodies, and HCV RNA in serum. The study consisted of 99 homosexual/bisexual men with AIDS-related lymphoma, and 43 other AIDS patients. HCV infection was detected in 11 of 99 (11.1 %) men with lymphoma, and in 5 of 43 (11.6%) other AIDS patients. Further, in patients with AIDS-related lymphoma, no relation was found between HCV infection and lymphoma histology or site. History of use of injected illicit drugs was associated with a significantly elevated risk of HCV infection in the combined group of lymphoma and other AIDS patients. The current study demonstrates no relation between dual infection by HIV and HCV and subsequent increased risk of lymphoma.