Fifteen months after unrestricted DAA availability the majority of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in the Netherlands have their HCV infection cured (76%) or are awaiting DAA treatment results (6%). This rapid treatment scale-up may contribute to future HCV elimination among these patients.
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The performance of our bilirubinometer is comparable to existing transcutaneous devices. The limited clinical value of current bilirubinometers can be explained by the low BVF in the skin volume that is probed by these devices. Because the TcB depends for over 99% on the contribution of extravascular bilirubin, it is a physiologically different parameter from the TSB. Hence, the standard method of evaluation that compares the TcB to the TSB is insufficient to fully investigate the clinical value of transcutaneous bilirubinometers, ie, their predictive value for kernicterus. We suggest that the clinical value may be improved considerably by changing either the method of evaluation or the technological design of transcutaneous bilirubinometers.
Background
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection following clearance of HCV, but risk factors specifically for reinfection have never been comprehensively assessed.
Methods
Using data from a prospective observational cohort study among HIV-positive MSM with an acute HCV infection (MOSAIC), the incidence of HCV reinfection following spontaneous clearance or successful treatment was assessed. A univariable Bayesian exponential survival model was used to identify risk factors associated with HCV reinfection.
Results
In total, 122 HIV-positive MSM who had a spontaneously cleared or successfully treated HCV infection between 2003 and 2017 were included. During a median follow-up of 1.4 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.5–3.8), 34 HCV reinfections were observed in 28 patients. The incidence of HCV reinfection was 11.5/100 person-years and among those with reinfection, median time to reinfection was 1.3 years (IQR 0.6–2.7). HCV reinfection was associated with receptive condomless anal intercourse, sharing of sex toys, group sex, anal rinsing before sex, ≥10 casual sex partners in the last 6 months, nadir CD4 cell count <200 cells/mm3, and recent CD4 cell count <500 cells/mm3.
Conclusions
Incidence of HCV reinfection was high and strongly associated with sexual risk behavior, highlighting the need for interventions to reduce risk behavior and prevent HCV reinfections among HIV-positive MSM.
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