Hepatitis C virus infection in patients with HIV-1: epidemiology, natural history and management

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver diseases have contributed to increased morbidity and mortality in HIV-1-infected individuals in the era of effective antiretroviral therapy. HCV transmission patterns have changed among the HIV co-infected population during the last decade, with acute HCV infection emerging worldwide. HIV infection accelerates the progression of HCV-related liver diseases and consequently cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the current standard treatment of HCV infection with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin results in only a limited viral response. Furthermore, cumbersome pill regimens, antiretroviral related hepatotoxicity, and drug interactions of HCV and HIV regimens complicate therapy strategies. Fortunately, in the near future, new direct-acting anti-HCV agents will widen therapeutic options for HCV/HIV co-infection. Liver transplantation is also gradually accepted as a therapeutic option for end stage liver disease of HCV/HIV co-infected patients.

The nationwide distribution and trends of hepatitis C virus genotypes in mainland China

“…Given the shared modes of transmission, HCV/HIV coinfection is common, particularly among IDUs . HIV infection can cause a more rapid progression to liver diseases in HCV patients, contributing to higher mortality due to cirrhosis and HCC . HCV, especially genotype 3, coinfection with HIV would possibly increase treatment difficulty.…”

“…[47][48][49] HIV infection can cause a more rapid progression to liver diseases in HCV patients, contributing to higher mortality due to cirrhosis and HCC. 50 This study had several limitations worth noting. First, insufficient representativeness was inevitable with respect to genotyping methods, study period, and risk group, as all data were obtained from the published literature.…”

Hepatitis B and C virus infection among HIV patients within the public and private healthcare systems in Chile: A cross-sectional serosurvey

“…The estimated HCV seroprevalence of the Chilean general population is 0.3% [37,38], while epidemiological data on HIV/HCV coinfection derive from a single center, which reported a prevalence of 2.6% [21,35]. Since the introduction of highly active ART resulted in an overall decrease of AIDS-related mortality, end stage liver disease caused by HCV has gained importance as a cause of mortality in PLWH [39]. Similar to HBV, patients with HIV/HCV coinfection progress more frequently and faster to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and have a higher risk of HCC.…”

“…Similar to HBV, patients with HIV/HCV coinfection progress more frequently and faster to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and have a higher risk of HCC. In addition, HCV treatment in PLWH is less effective [23,39]. The role of HCV as a co-factor in HIV disease progression remains controversial, but some studies have found lower absolute CD4+ cell counts and reduced immunological and virological responses after ART initiation [32,40,41].…”

National Trend and Characteristics of Acute Hepatitis C among HIV-Infected Individuals: A Matched Case-Control Study—Taiwan, 2001–2014

“…Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects an estimated 2.6%−3.1% of the world population and is a leading cause of liver disease [ 1 ].Without treatment, approximately 80% of patients with acute HCV infection progress to develop chronic infection and are at long-term risk for cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and decompensated liver disease [ 2 ]. In HIV-infected individuals, HCV coinfection is common and the seroprevalence ranges from <5% in low-risk patients, 5−10% among MSM, to 50−90% among injection drug users (IDU) [ 3 ]. In HIV/HCV-coinfected individuals, HCV disease progresses more rapidly than HCV-monoinfected individuals and has become a leading cause of non-AIDS death [ 4 – 11 ].…”