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Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models
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Chronic, Acute, and Reactivated HIV Infection in Humanized Immunodeficient Mouse Models

Published on: December 3, 2019

Update on HIV/HCV coinfection

Vincent Soriano1, Eugenia Vispo, Jose Vicente Fernandez-Montero

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Calle Sinesio Delgado 10, Madrid 28029, Spain. vsoriano@dragonet.es

Current HIV/AIDS Reports
|July 9, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) significantly worsens liver disease in individuals with HIV. While new direct-acting antivirals (DAA) offer cures, challenges like rising HCV incidence and DAA costs hinder widespread treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • HIV-positive individuals face high rates of liver disease, often exacerbated by Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) coinfection.
  • HCV in HIV coinfection potentiates immune activation and chronic inflammation, increasing risks for cardiovascular events, kidney disease, and cancers.
  • HIV-associated immunosuppression further enhances hepatic damage in coinfected individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the significant impact of HCV on liver disease progression in HIV-positive individuals.
  • To discuss the revolutionary advancements in Hepatitis C therapeutics with direct-acting antivirals (DAA).
  • To identify persistent challenges in eliminating HCV from the HIV-coinfected population.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on HIV-HCV coinfection and its management.
  • Analysis of the impact of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) on HCV treatment outcomes.
  • Identification of barriers to DAA access and efficacy in coinfected individuals.

Main Results:

  • HCV is a major driver of liver disease, hospitalization, and death in HIV-positive individuals.
  • Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) represent a revolutionary therapeutic approach with high cure rates.
  • Challenges include rising acute HCV incidence, potential drug interactions, and high DAA costs.

Conclusions:

  • While DAA offer a cure for Hepatitis C, prompt elimination in the HIV-coinfected population faces significant hurdles.
  • Addressing rising HCV incidence, drug interactions, and DAA accessibility is crucial for comprehensive care.
  • Continued research and policy interventions are needed to overcome barriers to HCV eradication in this vulnerable group.

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