Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
05:46

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors

Published on: April 9, 2014

18.0K

Epidemiological trends of HIV/HCV coinfection in Spain, 2015-2019

Chiara Fanciulli1,2, Juan Berenguer1,2, Carmen Busca2,3

  • 1Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain.

HIV Medicine
|January 17, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The prevalence of active Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection among people living with HIV in Spain significantly decreased by 90% from 2015 to 2019. This reduction is attributed to increased access to direct-acting antiviral treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hepatology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a significant concern for people living with HIV (PLWH).
  • Monitoring HCV prevalence and treatment uptake in PLWH is crucial for public health strategies.
  • Spain has implemented widespread direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for HCV.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies and active HCV infection in PLWH in Spain in 2019.
  • To compare current HCV infection rates with data from 2015-2018.
  • To assess the impact of DAA treatment on HCV prevalence in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted in 41 centers across Spain in 2019.
  • A sample of 1325 PLWH was randomly selected with proportional allocation from a reference population of 41,973.
  • HCV antibody and RNA status were determined, and data were compared with previous studies from 2015-2018.

Main Results:

  • In 2019, HCV antibody prevalence was 28.6% and active HCV infection (HCV-RNA-positive) was 2.2% among PLWH.
  • The prevalence of active HCV infection decreased by 90% from 2015 (22.1%) to 2019 (2.2%).
  • HCV treatment uptake increased significantly from 53.9% in 2015 to 95.0% in 2019, with cirrhosis remaining a concern in a subset of patients.

Conclusions:

  • Active HCV infection prevalence in PLWH in Spain has dramatically reduced to 2.2% by the end of 2019.
  • Increased access to and uptake of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) is the primary driver of this reduction.
  • Despite high treatment coverage, HCV-related cirrhosis remains a significant clinical issue in PLWH, necessitating continued monitoring and management.
Abstract

Keywords:
HIV infection/*epidemiologycoinfection/*epidemiologyhepatitis C/drug therapy/*epidemiology

More Related Videos

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques11:28

Dried Blood Spots - Preparing and Processing for Use in Immunoassays and in Molecular Techniques

Published on: March 13, 2015

40.8K
Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients13:50

Sequencing of Bacterial Microflora in Peripheral Blood: our Experience with HIV-infected Patients

Published on: June 11, 2011

12.4K

Related Concept Videos

Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health...
910
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the...
47.3K
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
441
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
12.7K
Retroviruses02:33

Retroviruses

Retroviruses and retrotransposons both insert copies of their genetic elements into the genome of the host cell. Thus, the viral genes are passed on when the host genome is replicated or translated. A typical retroviral DNA sequence contains 3-4 genes that encode the different proteins required for its structural assembly and function as a molecular parasite. This DNA is transcribed into a single mRNA, which is very similar in structure to conventional mRNAs, i.e., it is capped at the 5’...
12.8K
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:  
765