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Effect of hepatitis C virus coinfection on liver function of patients infected with HIV
1Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection was found in 5.3% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. Lower parenteral transmission routes in this population may explain the observed HCV coinfection prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) share common transmission routes.
- Coinfection with HIV and HCV is a significant concern in affected populations.
- Understanding HCV prevalence in HIV-positive individuals is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HCV infection among patients with HIV.
- To investigate the characteristics of HIV and HCV coinfection in the study cohort.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 57 HIV-positive patients for anti-HCV antibodies.
- Conducting liver function tests, abdominal ultrasounds, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopies for anti-HCV positive individuals.
Main Results:
- HCV coinfection was identified in 5.3% of the HIV-positive patients.
- Identified transmission routes included blood transfusions and heterosexual contact.
- Clinical manifestations ranged from cirrhosis with portal hypertension to isolated elevated alkaline phosphatase.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of HCV coinfection in this HIV-positive population is relatively low.
- The lower incidence may be attributed to the predominant heterosexual transmission route of HIV in this group, contrasting with the parenteral nature of HCV.
- This highlights the importance of considering transmission routes when assessing coinfection risks.
Aims:
Both the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) share similar routes for their transmission, encouraging the possibility of a coinfection with the two viruses in some individuals. We wanted to find out the prevalence of HCV in patients infected with the HIV virus.
Methods:
We tested 57 HIV positive patients for anti-HCV antibodies. Liver functions tests, ultrasound abdomen and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were carried out in the anti-HCV positive patients.
Results:
Coinfection with HCV was seen in 5.3% of patients. Of these 2 had acquired the infections through blood transfusions and one through heterosexual contact. One patient had cirrhosis with portal hypertension and one had raised alkaline phosphatase as the only abnormality on liver function tests.
Conclusions:
Because HCV is more infectious by the parenteral route, the incidence of coinfection is lower in our population possibly due to the fact that majority of our HIV positive patients acquire infection through heterosexual contact.