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Hepatitis C virus infection in HIV type 1-infected individuals does not accelerate a decrease in the CD4+ cell count
Justin Stebbing1, Laura Waters, Sundhiya Mandalia
1Department of HIV Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom. j.stebbing@imperial.ac.uk
Summary
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) coinfection accelerates Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) progression. Coinfection increases the risk of AIDS-defining illnesses and lower CD4+ cell counts in patients.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is known to worsen Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.
- The reciprocal effect of HCV on HIV-1 infection is controversial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of HCV on the progression of HIV-1 infection.
Main Methods:
- Multivariate analysis of a cohort of 5832 individuals.
- Comparison of disease progression between HIV-1 alone and HIV-1/HCV coinfection groups.
Main Results:
- Coinfection did not significantly alter the rate of CD4+ cell count decline.
- HCV/HIV-1 coinfection was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of AIDS-defining illness or CD4+ cell count <200 cells/mm3 (HR, 1.52).
- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naive patients showed slower progression due to higher baseline CD4+ counts.
Conclusions:
- HCV/HIV-1 coinfection leads to a greater number of adverse events compared to HIV-1 infection alone.
- Coinfection accelerates the progression towards Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).