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Clinical and epidemiological features of patients with chronic hepatitis C co-infected with HIV

Eduardo Lorens Braga1, André Castro Lyra, Fabrizio Ney-Oliveira

  • 1Department of Medicine, Gastro-Hepatology Service, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil. elbraga@ig.com.br

The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases
|June 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection worsens chronic hepatitis C. Co-infected patients showed more severe liver disease and higher rates of genotype-2/3, emphasizing the need for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) immunization.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is a growing global health concern.
  • Antiretroviral therapy has increased HIV-positive individuals' lifespan, potentially accelerating HCV-related liver disease progression.
  • Understanding the interplay between HCV and HIV is crucial for managing chronic hepatitis C in co-infected populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis C co-infected with HIV.
  • To analyze the impact of HIV co-infection on the progression of HCV-induced liver disease.
  • To identify risk factors and specific HCV genotypes associated with co-infection.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 134 HCV-infected patients, divided into 65 co-infected (HCV/HIV) and 69 mono-infected (HCV) groups.
  • Assessment of liver disease severity using Child's score, ultrasound, and liver histology.
  • HCV genotyping and anti-HBs (hepatitis B surface antibody) levels were determined for all participants.

Main Results:

  • Co-infected patients exhibited a higher prevalence of severe liver disease (Child's score B or C) and ultrasound-diagnosed chronic liver disease.
  • Injected drug use and homo/bisexual practices were significantly more common in the co-infected group.
  • HCV genotypes 2/3 were more frequently observed in patients with HCV/HIV co-infection.

Conclusions:

  • HIV co-infection appears to negatively influence the clinical progression of chronic hepatitis C.
  • Specific risk factors like injected drug use and sexual practices, along with HCV genotype 2/3, are more prevalent in co-infected individuals.
  • Routine immunization against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is strongly recommended for patients with HCV/HIV co-infection.
Abstract

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