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Published on: September 11, 2019
Effect of HCV infection on cause-specific mortality after HIV seroconversion, before and after 1997
Jannie van der Helm1, Ronald Geskus, Caroline Sabin
1Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. jvdhelm@ggd.amsterdam.nl
Insights
Individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection face higher mortality risks from HIV/AIDS and liver disease. This increased risk persists even after combination antiretroviral therapy became widely available.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection is common.
- The impact of HCV co-infection on HIV disease progression and mortality remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effect of HCV co-infection on mortality from HIV/AIDS and hepatitis/liver disease.
- To adjust for the duration of HIV infection in the analysis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the Concerted Action on Seroconversion to AIDS and Death in Europe (CASCADE) collaboration.
- Utilized a competing-risks proportional subdistribution hazards model.
- Evaluated mortality from HIV/AIDS-related, hepatitis/liver-related, natural, and non-natural causes.
Main Results:
- After 1997, mortality from HIV/AIDS and liver disease decreased for both HIV-only and co-infected individuals.
- However, HIV/AIDS-related mortality remained higher in co-infected individuals across various risk groups.
- Co-infected individuals exhibited a higher risk of death from hepatitis or liver disease compared to HIV-only individuals.
Conclusions:
- Since 1997, HIV/HCV co-infected individuals have a greater risk of death from HIV/AIDS and liver disease than those with HIV alone.
- The findings underscore the need to evaluate the impact of HCV therapy on HIV progression.
Background & Aims:
Individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection frequently also are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (co-infection), but little is known about its effects on the progression of HIV-associated disease. We aimed to determine the effects of co-infection on mortality from HIV and/or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), and hepatitis or liver disease, adjusting for the duration of HIV infection.
Methods:
We analyzed data from the 16 cohorts of the Concerted Action on Seroconversion to AIDS and Death in Europe (CASCADE) collaboration, which included information on HCV infection and cause of death. A competing-risks proportional subdistribution hazards model was used to evaluate the effect of HCV infection on the following causes of death: HIV- and/or AIDS-related, hepatitis- or liver-related, natural, and non-natural.
Results:
Of 9164 individuals with HIV infection and a known date of seroconversion, 2015 (22.0%) also were infected with HCV. Of 718 deaths, 395 (55.0%) were caused by HIV infection and/or AIDS, and 39 (5.4%) were caused by hepatitis or liver-related disease. Among individuals infected with only HIV or with co-infection, the mortality from HIV infection and/or AIDS-related causes and hepatitis or liver disease decreased significantly after 1997, when combination antiretroviral therapy became widely available. However, after 1997, HIV and/or AIDS-related mortality was higher among co-infected individuals than those with only HIV infection in each risk group: injection drug use (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-5.20), sex between men and women or hemophilia (aHR, 3.43; 95% CI, 1.70-6.93), and sex between men (aHR, 3.11; 95% CI, 1.49-6.48). Compared with individuals infected with only HIV, co-infected individuals had a higher risk of death from hepatitis or liver disease.
Conclusions:
Based on analysis of data from the CASCADE collaboration, since 1997, when combination antiretroviral therapy became widely available, individuals co-infected with HIV and HCV have had a higher risk of death from HIV and/or AIDS, and from hepatitis or liver disease, than patients infected with only HIV. It is necessary to evaluate the effects of HCV therapy on HIV progression.
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