Liver involvement in human immunodeficiency virus infection

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Advances in highly effective anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) have significantly increased survival rates for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
• Consequently, AIDS-related illnesses are no longer the primary cause of mortality, with liver diseases emerging as the leading cause of death in the HIV-infected population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the shift in mortality causes for HIV patients.
• To discuss the common liver diseases affecting HIV-infected individuals.
• To emphasize the importance of managing liver disease in this population.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on HIV management and liver disease.
• Analysis of mortality trends in HIV-infected patients.
• Discussion of common co-infections and hepatotoxicities.

Main Results:

• Liver disease is now the leading cause of death in HIV-infected patients.
• Common liver conditions include chronic viral hepatitis (HBV, HCV), drug-induced hepatotoxicity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and opportunistic infections.
• Hepatitis C is the most prevalent viral hepatitis co-infection.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of liver disease, including co-infections like Hepatitis C, is crucial for improving outcomes in HIV patients.
• Careful monitoring for drug interactions and hepatotoxicity is essential, with potential need for drug modification.
• Liver transplantation can be a viable option for select HIV-infected patients, offering outcomes comparable to HIV-negative individuals.