HIV and Hepatitis C Virus: Facts and Controversies

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection occurs in about one-third of HIV-seropositive patients and in about 90% of HIVpositive drug abusers. After the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the subsequent reduction in mortality from opportunistic infections, HCV-related liver failure has become a frequent cause of death in HIV-positive patients. In HIV-seropositive patients, the course of HCV infection is accelerated and there is evidence that HCV is an important factor for HIV progression. Consequently, it is important to establish the appropriate treatment for HCV infection in HIV-seropositive patients. This review examines the epidemiology, physiopathology, diagnostics and treatment of HIV/HCV coinfection with particular regard to the impact of HAART.

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of hepatitis C virus infection and HIV viral load: new insights into epidemiologic synergy

“…Approximately 2.3 million people worldwide are infected with both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) [ 1 ]. HIV infection is associated with increased HCV replication, and co-infected patients have higher HCV viral load (VL) compared to their mono-infected counterparts [ 2 ]. Additionally, the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HCV infection is nearly twofold higher in HIV-HCV co-infected women than in HCV mono-infected women.…”

The prevalence and correlates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and HCV–HIV co-infection in a community sample of gay and bisexual men

“…2 While estimates of co-infection rates vary among 'at-risk' populations, co-infections occur most frequently among injection drug users (IDUs). [3][4][5] Concern about co-infection among HIV-infected populations exists for a number of reasons. HIV-infected people are more likely to be susceptible to HCV morbidity, 3 and co-infection is thought to accelerate HIV disease progression.…”