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Hepatitis C virus load is associated with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 disease progression in hemophiliacs

E S Daar1, H Lynn, S Donfield

  • 1Cedars-Sinai Burns and Allen Research Institute, Division of Infectious Diseases, B217, Department of Medicine, and University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. Daar@CSHS.org

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|February 15, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coinfection accelerates HIV-1 disease progression. Higher HCV viral load significantly increases the risk of developing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) coinfection is prevalent in specific populations, including hemophiliacs and injection drug users.
  • Understanding the interplay between HCV load and HIV-1 disease progression is crucial for managing coinfected individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the independent effect of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) load on the progression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease.
  • To evaluate the association between baseline HCV RNA levels and clinical progression to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of 207 HIV-1/HCV-coinfected patients for approximately 7 years.
  • Annual measurements of CD4(+) cell counts, HCV RNA, and HIV-1 RNA levels.
  • Survival analysis was employed to determine the independent effects of HCV load on HIV-1 progression.

Main Results:

  • A 10-fold increase in baseline HCV RNA was significantly associated with an increased relative risk (RR) for clinical progression to AIDS (RR=1.66, P=.016).
  • Similarly, a 10-fold increase in baseline HCV RNA was linked to a higher RR for AIDS-related mortality (RR=1.54, P=.036).
  • These associations remained significant after controlling for CD4(+) cell count and HIV-1 RNA levels.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated Hepatitis C virus (HCV) load independently accelerates Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) disease progression.
  • Findings highlight the critical impact of HCV on HIV-1 pathogenesis and outcomes.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the efficacy of combined HIV-1 and HCV-specific therapies in coinfected patients.

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